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Experiences and Decisions that Motivate Women at Increased Risk of Breast Cancer to Participate in an Experimental Screening Program

  • Original Research
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Journal of Genetic Counseling

Abstract

Although the discovery of mutations on BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes associated with high breast cancer risk has given rise to screening and surveillance initiatives, there is little documentation on why high-risk women choose to enter screening programs. The objective of this qualitative study was to develop a detailed understanding of the experiences and decisions that motivate women with increased risk of hereditary breast cancer to participate in the multicentered Quebec experimental breast screening program. Our study involved 21 participants who were either BRCA carriers or at risk and untested. These women were interviewed while participating in the screening program. Our study demonstrates that intensive screening programs may provide valuable reassurance for women with increased familial risk of hereditary breast cancer, who count on early detection and rapid response from professionals if and when a problem arises. Health professionals must take these and others concerns into account to ensure their interventions are most consistent with women’s needs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, 7426 St-André Street, # 2020, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2R 2P9

    Michelle Proulx

  2. Department of Family Medicine, CHUM Research Centre, Université de Montreal, Hôpital Notre-Dame, L.-C. Simard Pavilion, 1560 Sherbrooke Street East, 8th floor, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2L 4M1

    Marie-Dominique Beaulieu

  3. Division of Oral Health and Society, Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, 3640 University Street (Strathcona building), Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 2B2

    Christine Loignon

  4. Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, 1420 Mont-Royal Blvd., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2V 4P3

    Marie-Hélène Mayrand

  5. Department of Medicine, CHUM Research Centre, Université de Montréal, Hôtel-Dieu CHUM, Room Y-4621, J.A. de Sève Pavilion, 2099 Alexandre de Sève Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2L 2W5

    Christine Maugard & Nathalie Bellavance

  6. Division of Gynecology-Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, CHUM - Hôpital Notre-Dame, 1560 Sherbrooke Street East, Montreal, Québec, Canada, H2L 4M1

    Diane Provencher

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  1. Michelle Proulx
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  2. Marie-Dominique Beaulieu
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  3. Christine Loignon
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  4. Marie-Hélène Mayrand
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  5. Christine Maugard
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  7. Diane Provencher
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Correspondence to Michelle Proulx.

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Proulx, M., Beaulieu, MD., Loignon, C. et al. Experiences and Decisions that Motivate Women at Increased Risk of Breast Cancer to Participate in an Experimental Screening Program. J Genet Counsel 18, 160–172 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-008-9202-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-008-9202-z

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