scholarly journals The impact of information given to patients’ families: Breast cancer risk notification

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34
Author(s):  
Estrella Durá Ferrandis ◽  
Yolanda Andreu ◽  
Maria José Galdón
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Family History ◽  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
First Degree Relatives ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

A family history of breast cancer is a clear risk for developing the disease. Therefore, when a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer all her female first degree relatives become population at risk. This involve a number of important aspects to be taken into account by psychooncology professionals. (a) First, in addition to the stress associated with the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in a close relative, first degree relatives of breast cancer patients have the added stress of learning that they are at risk of this disease. (b) Second, these women become the main target of secondary breast cancer prevention strategies. However, various reports show that a considerable percentage of these women do not follow the recommended screening methods. For this reason, it is necessary to study the possible contribution of psychosocial factors, specially health beliefs, in the practice of preventive behavior aimed at preventing breast cancer in this population, and to design strategies to promote preventive practices. (c) Most of the research on health beliefs among women at risk for breat cancer has focused on risk perception.This research as found that some women with a family history of breast cancer have significantly overestimated their risk, while other shave underestimated their risk. The need to provide risk counselling schemes for these women is therefore proposed, in order to estimate and advise them of their real risk. (d) Finally, these women may request genetic testing to determine whether they carry genetic mutations (BRCA1, BRCA2, or others) that cause some types of breast cancer. However, it must be remembered that, although many first degree relatives will have heard of and seek «the cancer gene test», currently testing is appropiate and available only for rare individuals. All these issues are reviewed in the present paper.

A Group Therapy Approach to Facilitate Integration of Risk Information for Women at Risk for Breast Cancer

1998 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Jane Esplen ◽  
Brenda Toner ◽  
Jonathan Hunter ◽  
Gordon Glendon ◽  
Kate Butler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Family History ◽  
Group Therapy ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Positive Family History ◽  
Risk Information ◽  
Degree Relative ◽  
Therapy Approach ◽  
History Of

Objective: To describe and illustrate elements of a group counselling approach designed to enhance the communication of risk information on breast cancer (BC) to women with a family history of this disease. Breast cancer is a leading cause of female cancer death. The most important risk factor for BC is a positive family history in at least 1 first-degree relative, and approximately one-third of women with BC have a family history of the disease. Recent evidence suggests that there is a significant psychological impact associated with having a family history of BC, and this may influence the psychological adjustment and response to being counselled for personal risk. New counselling approaches are required. Method: This paper describes a group therapy approach that incorporates principles of supportive-expressive therapy designed to address the emotional impact of being at risk for BC and to promote accuracy of perceived risk. The key elements of the intervention are described along with clinical illustrations from groups that are part of an ongoing study to develop and standardize the group therapy. Conclusion: Qualitative data from the groups suggest that this model of therapy is both feasible and effective.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Effect of Health Education Intervention on the Health Beliefs and Behaviors of First-Degree Female Relatives of Breast Cancer Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sule Olgun ◽  
Berna Dizer
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Family History ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Behaviors

Abstract Background Breast cancer risk increases by 80% in the presence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations in the same family. In particular, a woman whose sister or mother has breast cancer has a 2- to 5-fold higher risk of developing breast cancer compared with other women. For this reason, recommendations should have been made regarding breast cancer prevention and/or early detection for women with first-degree family history of breast cancer. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of health education, which was provided to first-degree female relatives of breast cancer patients, on their health beliefs and behaviors. Study Design and Methods The study sample included 50 women with a first-degree relative being treated for breast cancer in the chemotherapy and radiotherapy unit of a university hospital. A one-group pretest-posttest design was used. The pretest consisted of the health belief model scale and a questionnaire regarding the women’s sociodemographic information and breast cancer screening behaviors. After the pretest, the patients received health education regarding breast cancer risk factors and screening methods. The posttest was conducted 3 weeks after the education using the same assessment tools. Results After education, there were statistically significant increases in rates of practicing breast self-examination, having clinical breast examinations, and undergoing breast ultrasound/mammography compared with pretest results. Conclusions Health workers should possess knowledge and experience about breast cancer which will enable them to effectively undertake an educational role, especially for high-risk groups such as women with first-degree family history of breast cancer.

scholarly journals Mortality and Risk of Cancer After Prophylactic Bilateral Oophorectomy in Women With a Family History of Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Abildgaard ◽  
Magnus Glindvad Ahlström ◽  
Gedske Daugaard ◽  
Dorte Lisbet Nielsen ◽  
Anette Tønnes Pedersen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Family History ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Bilateral Oophorectomy ◽  
Family History Of Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Risk Of Cancer ◽  
The Impact ◽  
History Of Cancer

Abstract Background Current international guidelines recommend systemic hormone therapy (HT) to oophorectomized women until the age of natural menopause. Despite an inherited predisposition to estrogen-dependent malignancies, the guidelines also apply to women oophorectomized because of a family history of cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of HT on mortality and risk of cancer in women oophorectomized because of a family history of cancer. Methods A nationwide, population-based cohort was used to study women oophorectomized because of a family history of cancer (n = 2002). Comparison cohorts included women from the background population individually matched on age (n = 18 018). Oophorectomized women were subdivided into three groups: oophorectomized at 1) age 45 years or younger not using HT, 2) age 45 years or younger using HT, 3) older than age 45 years, and their respective population comparison cohorts. Results Women oophorectomized at age 45 years or younger using HT had increased overall mortality (mortality rate ratio [MRR] = 3.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.53 to 7.79), mortality because of cancer (MRR = 5.67, 95% CI = 1.86 to 17.34), and risk of overall cancer (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.93 − 6.98), primarily reflected in an increased risk of breast cancer (IRR = 4.88, 95% CI = 2.19 − 10.68). Women oophorectomized at age 45 years or younger not using HT and women oophorectomized at older than age 45 years did not have increased mortality, mortality because of cancer, or risk of overall cancer, but they had increased risk of breast cancer (IRR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.14 to 6.13, and IRR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.14 to 2.59, respectively). Conclusions Use of HT in women oophorectomized at age 45 years or younger with a family history of cancer is associated with increased mortality and risk of overall cancer and breast cancer. Our study warrants further investigation to establish the impact of HT on mortality and cancer risk in oophorectomized women with a family history of cancer.

scholarly journals The Impact of Family History of Breast Cancer on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Early Detection Practices of Mexican Women Along the Mexico-US Border

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 867-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yelena Bird ◽  
Matthew P. Banegas ◽  
John Moraros ◽  
Sasha King ◽  
Surasri Prapasiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Family History ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Mexican Women ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

The Impact of a Family History of Breast Cancer on Screening Practices and Attitudes in Low-Income, Rural, African American Women

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 779-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delia Smith West ◽  
Paul G. Greene ◽  
Polly P. Kratt ◽  
Leavonne Pulley ◽  
Heidi L. Weiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
African American ◽  
Family History ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Low Income ◽  
American Women ◽  
Screening Practices ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals The impact of genetic counselling on risk perception and mental health in women with a family history of breast cancer

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 868-874 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Watson ◽  
S Lloyd ◽  
J Davidson ◽  
L Meyer ◽  
R Eeles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Family History ◽  
Genetic Counselling ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact
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