Communication about genetic testing with breast and ovarian cancer patients: a scoping review

Jacobs, C; Patch, C; Michie, S

Communication about genetic testing with breast and ovarian cancer patients: a scoping review

Jacobs, C

Patch, C Michie, S

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: European Journal of Human Genetics, 2019, 27 (4), pp. 511 - 524
Issue Date:: 2019-04-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Jacobs, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9557-9080	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Patch, C	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Michie, S	en_US
dc.date.available	2018-11-07	en_US
dc.date.issued	2019-04-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	European Journal of Human Genetics, 2019, 27 (4), pp. 511 - 524	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1018-4813	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/134986
dc.description.abstract	© 2018, The Author(s). Genetic testing of patients with cancer is increasingly offered to guide management, resulting in a growing need for oncology health professionals to communicate genetics information and facilitate informed decision-making in a short time frame. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesise what is known about health professionals’ communication about genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer with cancer patients. Four databases were systematically searched using a recognised scoping review method. Areas and types of research were mapped and a narrative synthesis of the findings was undertaken. Twenty-nine papers from 25 studies were included. Studies were identified about (i) information needs, (ii) process and content of genetic counselling, (iii) cognitive and emotional impact, including risk perception and recall, understanding and interpretation of genetic test results, and anxiety and distress, (iv) patients’ experiences, (v) communication shortly after diagnosis and (vi) alternatives to face-to-face genetic counselling. Patients’ need for cancer-focused, personalised information is not always met by genetic counselling. Genetic counselling tends to focus on biomedical information at the expense of psychological support. For most patients, knowledge is increased and anxiety is not raised by pre-test communication. However, some patients experience anxiety and distress when results are disclosed, particularly those tested shortly after diagnosis who are unprepared or unsupported. For many patients, pre-test communication by methods other than face-to-face genetic counselling is acceptable. Research is needed to identify patients who may benefit from genetic counselling and support and to investigate communication about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer by oncology health professionals.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	European Journal of Human Genetics	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1038/s41431-018-0310-4	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Genetics & Heredity	en_US
dc.title	Communication about genetic testing with breast and ovarian cancer patients: a scoping review	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	27	en_US
utslib.for	0604 Genetics	en_US
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Graduate School of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	4	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	27	en_US

Abstract:

© 2018, The Author(s). Genetic testing of patients with cancer is increasingly offered to guide management, resulting in a growing need for oncology health professionals to communicate genetics information and facilitate informed decision-making in a short time frame. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesise what is known about health professionals’ communication about genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer with cancer patients. Four databases were systematically searched using a recognised scoping review method. Areas and types of research were mapped and a narrative synthesis of the findings was undertaken. Twenty-nine papers from 25 studies were included. Studies were identified about (i) information needs, (ii) process and content of genetic counselling, (iii) cognitive and emotional impact, including risk perception and recall, understanding and interpretation of genetic test results, and anxiety and distress, (iv) patients’ experiences, (v) communication shortly after diagnosis and (vi) alternatives to face-to-face genetic counselling. Patients’ need for cancer-focused, personalised information is not always met by genetic counselling. Genetic counselling tends to focus on biomedical information at the expense of psychological support. For most patients, knowledge is increased and anxiety is not raised by pre-test communication. However, some patients experience anxiety and distress when results are disclosed, particularly those tested shortly after diagnosis who are unprepared or unsupported. For many patients, pre-test communication by methods other than face-to-face genetic counselling is acceptable. Research is needed to identify patients who may benefit from genetic counselling and support and to investigate communication about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer by oncology health professionals.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/134986