TY - JOUR
T1 - Role of psychological background in cancer susceptibility genetic testing distress
T2 - It is not only about a positive result
AU - López-Fernández, Adrià
AU - Villacampa, Guillermo
AU - Salinas, Mònica
AU - Grau, Elia
AU - Darder, Esther
AU - Carrasco, Estela
AU - Solanes, Ares
AU - Velasco, Angela
AU - Torres, Maite
AU - Munté, Elisabet
AU - Iglesias, Silvia
AU - Torres-Esquius, Sara
AU - Tuset, Noemí
AU - Diez, Orland
AU - Lázaro, Conxi
AU - Brunet, Joan
AU - Corbella, Sergi
AU - Balmaña, Judith
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 National Society of Genetic Counselors.
PY - 2023/8
Y1 - 2023/8
N2 - Clinical and familial factors predict psychological distress after genetic testing for cancer susceptibility. However, the contribution of an individual's psychological background to such distress is unclear. This study aims to analyze the psychological impact of genetic testing and to identify the profile of individuals at higher risk. This is a longitudinal multicenter study of individuals undergoing genetic testing for cancer susceptibility. Demographic, clinical, genetic, familial, and psychological (personality types, cancer worry) characteristics were assessed by validated questionnaires the day of genetic testing. Distress, uncertainty, and positive experience perception (MICRA scale) were evaluated at the results disclosure visit, and 3 and 12 months afterwards. Multivariate analysis was performed. A total of 714 individuals were included. A high neuroticism score, high baseline cancer worry, and a positive genetic test result were independently associated with higher psychological impact (p-value < 0.05). The highest risk profile (10% of the cohort) included women with high level of neuroticism and a positive result. Uncertainty was mainly associated with a high level of neuroticism, regardless of the genetic test result. A holistic approach to personalized germline genetic counseling should include the assessment of personality dimensions.
AB - Clinical and familial factors predict psychological distress after genetic testing for cancer susceptibility. However, the contribution of an individual's psychological background to such distress is unclear. This study aims to analyze the psychological impact of genetic testing and to identify the profile of individuals at higher risk. This is a longitudinal multicenter study of individuals undergoing genetic testing for cancer susceptibility. Demographic, clinical, genetic, familial, and psychological (personality types, cancer worry) characteristics were assessed by validated questionnaires the day of genetic testing. Distress, uncertainty, and positive experience perception (MICRA scale) were evaluated at the results disclosure visit, and 3 and 12 months afterwards. Multivariate analysis was performed. A total of 714 individuals were included. A high neuroticism score, high baseline cancer worry, and a positive genetic test result were independently associated with higher psychological impact (p-value < 0.05). The highest risk profile (10% of the cohort) included women with high level of neuroticism and a positive result. Uncertainty was mainly associated with a high level of neuroticism, regardless of the genetic test result. A holistic approach to personalized germline genetic counseling should include the assessment of personality dimensions.
KW - genetic counseling
KW - genetic testing
KW - hereditary cancer
KW - neuroticism
KW - personality traits
KW - psychological impact
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85147532562&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/jgc4.1687
DO - 10.1002/jgc4.1687
M3 - Article
C2 - 36748747
AN - SCOPUS:85147532562
SN - 1059-7700
VL - 32
SP - 778
EP - 787
JO - Journal of Genetic Counseling
JF - Journal of Genetic Counseling
IS - 4
ER -