Home » Health & Wellness » Genetic Testing » Once you know, what will you do?

Once you know, what will you do?

© Laura Ruth

It is easy to sit back and do nothing. As the saying goes, "Nature will take its course."

Once you decide to have a genetic test, you have decided to take a closer look at your own natural composition. Before you have a genetic test, you should think about what the test will mean and what are you going to do? Will you let nature take its course or will you try to modify your natural blueprint? Genetic counseling can help you discuss issues regarding a genetic test.

Breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene testing looks for abnormal BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Researchers wonder about the affect of the test results on the behavior patterns of people who take the test. What do women do knowing they are at risk for breast and ovarian cancer?

Dr. Karen Emmons and colleagues at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute surveyed three populations of women to explore the question about women's behavioral response to genetic testing. The women either have a family member with a documented germline mutation, a family medical history which suggests a BRCA1 or 2 germline mutation or the woman has cancer and a family history which suggests a germline mutation in either the BRCA1 or the BRCA2 gene. The survey consisted of interviewing the women three different times: 1) during a pretest genetic counseling session, 2) a genetic testing results discussion, and 3) a follow-up visit 2-3 months after the results discussion session. Researchers asked women about their personal health habits in the areas of smoking, physical activity, sun protection, and alcohol consumption. Decreased smoking, increased physical activity, increased sun protection, and decreased alcohol consumption can lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancer onset. Interestingly, researchers discovered that women who find out they carry abnormal breast and ovarian cancer genes can be less motivated to adopt health behaviors that might prevent breast and ovarian cancer onset.

It seems there is a tug of war about what to do after getting results of a genetic test. Doctors see a need to encourage women to maintain health behaviors which will lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancer onset.

Additional Reading:

Emmons, K.M., et al. 'Behavioral Risk Factors among Women Presenting for Genetic Testing' Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention 9, 89-94, January 2000

The copyright of the article Once you know, what will you do? in Genetic Testing is owned by . Permission to republish Once you know, what will you do? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.