Effects of genetic counseling on perceived personal control in women unaffected by breast cancer

This study aimed to assess the influence of genetic counseling on a patient's sense of perceived personal control (PPC) over their risk of developing breast cancer. Participants were 11 women ages 18 and older who were presently unaffected by breast cancer but had a family history of breast cancer and were attending their initial counseling session. Participants were recruited through breast cancer clinics and obstetrics/gynecology departments at three medical centers by responding to an invitation to participate proceeding their genetic counseling session. Counselees completed questionnaires before and following their consultation. Comparisons of mean perceived personal control before and after counseling showed significant increases (p<0.05). The results revealed counselees' risk perception for developing breast cancer significantly decreased from pre-session to post-session (p<0.05). Counselees' risk perception was inversely related to PPC scores; however, it was not significantly associated with perceived personal control subscores or total scores. Women with high levels of perceived risk and low levels of perceived control over developing breast cancer may be vulnerable to distress and should be targeted for intervention. Short-term interventions that target risk perceptions and perceptions of control may be effective in reducing distress.