Analysis of intra-familial communication of diagnostic genetic results in hereditary cancer

Abstract

Throughout the Genetic Counselling process a great emphasis is done on the need to communicate the familial risk information and the genetic study to the relatives. In addition, the clinical reports specify the relatives at risk situation. However, the familial communication pattern of genetic results after the counselling remains unknown. Objective: To conduct a descriptive study about the communication pattern of results of the diagnostic genetic test in hereditary predisposition to cancer at the ICO Genetic Counselling Unit. Methods: A descriptive study has been performed by telephone interview on a sample of index individuals attended at the Genetic Counselling Unit. Patients were asked whether if they had communicated their genetic study results and to whom. Similarly, demographic, personal and genetic result itself variables have been collected to explore whether any of them could modify the communication pattern. Results: Most patients report the results of the genetic studies to their relatives. However, this communication is not complete, so it is possible to design intervention strategies which may improve the communication pattern of the patients who receive diagnostic genetic tests in the context of the hereditary predisposition to cancer.