Publications (2)4.12 Total impact
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Article: Cancer patients who experienced diagnostic genetic testing for cancer susceptibility: reactions and behavior after the disclosure of a positive test result.
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the consequences of the disclosure of a positive genetic test result to patients affected with cancer. Personal repercussions and patients' behavior with the transmission of their results to relatives were considered. We conducted semistructured interviews with 23 cancer patients identified as carriers of a cancer-predisposing mutation for hereditary breast ovarian or nonpolyposis colorectal cancers, 1 month after the disclosure of the test result. Eight patients spontaneously expressed distressed reactions ("you no longer feel cured"), and 14 patients reported at least one negative feeling (dissatisfied, discouraged, unhappy, or worried), despite expecting to be a carrier. Sixteen patients expressed concerns about the risk of developing another cancer, and 18 were concerned for their children's future, in that they may carry the mutation and develop a cancer. Although 8 patients found that disadvantages of knowing their genetic status outweighed the advantages, all but 1 did not regret having undergone genetic testing. All of the patients transmitted their results to at least one close relative. Although 6 of them expressed difficulties in being the only person who could transmit the information and 9 said it was a heavy responsibility, all except 1 did not want someone else to have to inform their families. Our results illustrate the potential negative impact of diagnostic genetic testing in patients with cancer. This includes distressed reactions and difficulties in transmitting their results to relatives. Future large-scale studies are warranted to confirm our findings.Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 02/2002; 11(1):97-104. · 4.12 Impact Factor -
Article: [Cancer genetics: estimation of the needs of the population in France for the next ten years]
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ABSTRACT: Organised since 1990 in France, cancer genetics has been strengthened since 2003 by the programme "Plan Cancer" which resulted in an improvement of the organisation of activities. The aim of this review is to present an update of the estimation of the needs of the population in this field for the next ten years, provided by a group of experts mandated by the French National Cancer Institute. Identification and management of major hereditary predispositions to cancer have a major impact on decrease in mortality and incidence. Sensitivity of criteria for the detection of BRCA1/2 mutations could be substantially improved by enlarging the indication for genetic testing to isolated cases of ovarian cancer occurring before 70 years and to familial cases occurring after this age limit. In the Lynch syndrome, the present criteria would have an excellent sensitivity for the detection of mutations in the mismatch repair (MMR) genes if the pre-screening of tumours on microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype was effective, but these criteria are actually poorly applied. However, genetic testing should not be proposed to all the patients affected by tumours belonging to the spectrum of major predispositions and a fortiori to unaffected persons unless an affected relative has been identified as a carrier. The prescription of tests should continue to be strictly controlled and organised, in patients as well as in at-risk relatives. The enlargement of criteria and the improvement in the spreading of recommendations should result in an increase of genetic counselling activity and of the prescriptions of tests by a factor 2 to 4, and to a lesser extent in the clinical management of at risk persons. In a near future, it appears important to mandate experts on specific issues such as the determinants of the lack of effective application of tumour screening for MSI phenotype, the recommendations for the identification and the management of MYH-associated polyposis, or the predictive value of tumour characteristics for the identification of BRCA1/2 mutations. The expected increase in cancer genetics activity will need an optimal organisation to increase the throughput. Such measures will help in facing up to new predispositions that will probably be identified in common cancers.Bulletin du cancer.
