What is the emotional impact of the genetic test results on oncologic patients with suspected hereditary cancer syndrome?

  • Sonia Elizabeth Checchia Instituto Alexander Fleming (IAF)
  • Carolina Roxana Ponce Instituto Alexander Fleming (IAF)
  • Javier Mariani Instituto Alexander Fleming (IAF)
  • Nancy Edith Ferro Instituto Alexander Fleming (IAF)
  • Luisina Inés Bruno Instituto Alexander Fleming (IAF)
Keywords: Cancer genetic counseling, Psychological impact, Hereditary cancer risk

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study is to assess the emotional impact of genetic test results disclosure to patients with a personal cancer history and suspected hereditary syndrome, applying the Multidimensional Impact of Cancer Risk Assessment (MICRA) Questionnaire. Methods: two hundred nineteen patients affected with cancer, referred to the Cancer Genetic Counseling department at the Alexander Fleming Institute, between 2014 and 2019, were evaluated using the MICRA questionnaire. Results: Average age 49.84 (42,21; 62,02), 82.2% presented breast cancer. In 16% a pathogenic variant (PV) was found. The mean of the scores obtained for each subscale in the questionnaire was 5.26 (0- 22, SD 4.48) for Distress (D); 12.31 (0-37, DS 7.42) for Uncertainty (U); 16.36 (2-20 SD 4.30) for Positive Experiences (PE) and 34.37 (8-62 SD 10.24) for the global score, which shows a low level of D and U and the presence of PE among the patients. Significant differences were found according to the type of result: We found modestly increased distress in PV carriers compared to patients who received uninformative or negative test results. No significant differences according to age, patients with or without children, or time between the completion of the genetic test and the application of the questionnaire. Conclusion: Genetic test disclosure does not seem to produce an adverse psychological impact. High scores on this scale could be used to identify patients with emotional distress and offer them specific psycho-oncological follow-up.

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Published
2022-03-03
How to Cite
Checchia S. E., Roxana Ponce C., Mariani J., Ferro N. E. y Bruno L. I. (2022). What is the emotional impact of the genetic test results on oncologic patients with suspected hereditary cancer syndrome?. Psicooncología, 19(1), 81-93. https://doi.org/10.5209/psic.80799
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Articles