TIME ELAPSING FROM CANCER-DIAGNOSIS AND ANXIETY IN WOMEN ATTENDING CANCER GENETIC CLINICS

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cancer genetic consultations on feelings of anxiety in women with breast/ovarian can cer. Among the 138 women attending six French clinics during a one-yea r period, 115 (83.3%) answered pre-and post-consultation questionnaire s. The state anxiety score (Spielberger's STAI) was lower (paired t-te st, p<0.001) after the consultation (34.7+/-9.4) than before (38.8+/-1 0.5). The time elapsing since cancer diagnosis (r=-0.28, p=0.007) was the main predictor of the decrease in anxiety. The patients consulting earlier after their cancer was diagnosed were more anxious before the consultation than those consulting later: whereas their anxiety state s after the consultation were similar. The consultation effectively de creased the anxiety observed and the anxiety felt by cancer patients b efore the consultation may constitute an anticipatory stress response that should be investigated.