| This study was designed to address the limitations of previous studies that have Examined the factors that predict whether a woman will undergo genetic testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which play an important role in some familial breast and ovarian cancers. This study simultaneously investigated all known significant predictors of elective DNA testing on the same population of women participating in cancer research. It also examined coping style, psychological distress, personality, and factors from the Health Belief Model as potential variables. It was hypothesized that the decision to undergo genetic testing would be mediated by both knowledge of cancer genetics and levels of psychological distress.; Regression and path analyses were used to look at the relationship among predictors, evaluating which were most important to an actual decision whether or not to test. Data from previous retrospective studies indicated that while demographic and familial variables play a significant role, psychological factors may be more critical in a woman's choice.; Results of the analysis indicated that women in the current study were more psychologically distressed than women in the general population. This distress was manifested in a variety of ways including mood, social functioning, worries related to health as well as more general concerns. This psychological distress did not appear to directly impact the decision to donate blood for mutation analysis, yet did seem to play a role in a woman's perception of the costs of pursuing such testing.; The data did not support the hypothesis that knowledge of cancer genetics plays a role in the ultimate decision regarding blood donation. Rather, women appeared to make their decision based on perceptions and beliefs about their chance of being a mutation carrier and the costs versus benefits of testing. Monitoring style and depression played a role in the perceptions of benefits and costs of blood donation but did not fully explain the complexities of those perceptions.; These results will help clinicians assess whether and how to intervene in a patient's decisional process, thus helping every woman make a truly informed decision. |
