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Psychological distress related to BRCA testing in ovarian cancer patients

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Abstract

An increasing demand for genetic testing has moved the procedure from highly selected at-risk individuals, now also including cancer patients for treatment associated testing. The heritable fraction of ovarian cancer is more than 10 %, and our department has offered BRCA testing to such patients irrespective of family history since 2002. This study examined potential psychosocial distress associated with this procedure using The Multidimensional Impact of Cancer Risk Assessment (MICRA) questionnaire and other patient-rated generic distress instruments. Patients were divided into four groups according to cancer risk: mutation carriers, own history of breast cancer and ovarian cancer, family history of breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer, and patients without family history. In a postal survey, 354 patients responded. Good acceptance of the MICRA was observed, and previously described good psychometric properties were confirmed. A significant association between MICRA total score and receiving a positive BRCA test result was found. No significant between-group differences were observed with generic distress instruments. Time since cancer diagnosis, test result, and survey showed no significant associations with MICRA scores. Internal consistencies of instruments were adequate. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses showed adequate fit indices for a three factor solution of the MICRA, but further refinement of the items should be considered. In conclusion, the specific types of worry and distress most relevant to receiving genetic testing irrespective of family history were not captured by the generic distress instruments. The MICRA was supported as a useful tool for detection of mental distress related to genetic testing and risk evaluation.

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Acknowledgments

Alv A. Dahl, MD, PhD holds a grant from The Norwegian Radium Hospital Foundation. This work was supported by the Inger and John Fredriksen Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical standard

The study protocol was approved by The Institutional Review Board and The Regional Committee for Medicine and Health Research Ethics of South-East Norway. All patients gave written informed consent when they returned the questionnaire.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital, PO Box 4953 Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway

    Merete Bjørnslett

  2. Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Merete Bjørnslett & Alv A. Dahl

  3. Department of Oncology, National Advisory Center for Late Effects after Cancer Treatment, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Alv A. Dahl

  4. School of Business and Social Sciences, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Hønefoss, Norway

    Øystein Sørebø

  5. Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    Anne Dørum

Authors
  1. Merete Bjørnslett
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  2. Alv A. Dahl
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  3. Øystein Sørebø
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  4. Anne Dørum
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Merete Bjørnslett.

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Bjørnslett, M., Dahl, A.A., Sørebø, Ø. et al. Psychological distress related to BRCA testing in ovarian cancer patients. Familial Cancer 14, 495–504 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10689-015-9811-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10689-015-9811-2

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