Stress and Coping in Genetic Testing for Cancer Risk
Abstract
This project involves a prospective study of women who are at high risk for early-onset breast cancer, and their husbands and siblings. Proband women are assessed at entry into the study, immediately before receiving results, and 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months after receiving results. Among women for whom test results are not available within one year of study entry, yearly assessments are administered to track changes in functioning over time. The main objectives of the study have been to describe psychological functioning among high-risk women and their families; to evaluate the performance of screening instruments in detecting clinical depression; to describe social support processes among high-risk women; and as follow-up data become available, to assess the impact of genetic testing on women and their families. In general, both extensive baseline data and preliminary follow-up data suggest that women and their families manage the process of genetic testing well, exhibiting relatively low levels of distress and worry, and reporting few negative effects of testing. Ongoing analyses are beginning to clarify predictors of health behaviors, risk perception, response to testing, marital functioning, and other indicators of adjustment. Future analyses will clarify causal relationships among personality, functioning, and other variables, as follow-up data become available.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA382520
Entities
People
- James C. Coyne
- Jeffrey H. Sonis
Organizations
- University of Michigan