Behavioral and Psychosocial Effects of BRCA1 Testing

This research project will offer genetic testing to approximately 400 adult men and women who belong to a large kindred which has been found to have markers on chromosome 17q that are tightly linked with the BRCA1 gene, and provide them with individual results and counseling within a structured, multidisciplinary clinical environment. Women and men who are both gene positive and gene negative will be evaluated before testing and 1 week, 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years after testing to assess the psychosocial impact of the information on individuals and families. In addition, the use of preventive health services and individual health related behaviors will be evaluated pre and post genetic testing. The findings of this study will be important for our understanding of the psychological and behavioral responses to predictive testing for breast and ovarian cancer. The results also may assist in the development of predictive genetic testing protocols for other serious, adult onset conditions. (Funded by NCI. Member of CGSC)