Abstract
Since the identification of two breast–ovarian cancer susceptibility genes (BRCA1/2), predictive testing for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) has been available. Given the complexity and uncertainties of HBOC and the potential impact of predictive testing on psychological well-being, we offer the test applicants a combination of information-oriented and psychological counselling. In this paper, we describe the multidisciplinary approach for predictive testing for HBOC as a clinical service in Leuven, hereby focusing on psychological and decision counselling practice. Attention is paid to the theoretical framework used for pre-test psychological counselling in Leuven. We discuss three important interacting dimensions of psychological counselling: individual emotional support, decision counselling and support of the family communication process. Decision counselling consists of an evaluation of the cognitive and the emotional processing of the information given and strategies and resources for coping. This serves as a starting point to facilitate free informed decision making. Scenario development is used as a decision aid.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Decruyenaere, M., Evers-Kiebooms, G., Denayer, L. et al. Predictive testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: a psychological framework for pre-test counselling. Eur J Hum Genet 8, 130–136 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200438
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejhg.5200438
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Health-related quality of life in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis polyneuropathy: a prospective, observational study
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases (2020)
-
Willingness to participate in genomics research and desire for personal results among underrepresented minority patients: a structured interview study
Journal of Community Genetics (2013)
-
What is ideal genetic counselling? A survey of current international guidelines
European Journal of Human Genetics (2008)
-
Predictive Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer: Psychological Distress and Illness Representations 1 Year Following Disclosure
Journal of Genetic Counseling (2005)
-
A new web-based data mining tool for the identification of candidate genes for human genetic disorders
European Journal of Human Genetics (2003)