Long-term outcomes of genetic counseling in women at increased risk of developing hereditary breast cancer

This multicenter study evaluated the impact of genetic counseling in 218 wo men at risk of developing hereditary breast cancer. Women were assessed pri or to counseling and 12-month post-counseling using self-administered, mail ed questionnaires. Compared to baseline, breast cancer genetics knowledge w as increased significantly at follow-up. and greater increases in knowledge were associated with educational level. Breast cancer anxiety decreased si gnificantly from baseline to follow-up, and these decreases were associated with improvements in perceived risk. A significant decrease in clinical br east examination was observed at the 12-month follow-up. Findings suggest t hat women with a family history of breast cancer benefit from attending fam ilial cancer clinics as it leads to increases in breast cancer genetics kno wledge and decreases in breast cancer anxiety. The lowered rates of clinica l breast examination indicate that the content of genetic counseling may ne ed to be reviewed to ensure that women receive and take away the right mess age. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.