Investigation of genetic testing on BRCA1 and BRCA2 in patients with breast cancer after insurance coverage, including psychosocial and personality evaluation

Abstract

　The purpose of this study is to investigate awareness of BRCA1/2 genetic testing in breast cancer patients after health insurance coverage and to evaluate patient psychological conditions before genetic testing and just after disclosure of BRCA1/2 genetic testing results. A questionnaire survey was conducted at the Breast Center of Juntendo University Hospital, targeting breast cancer patients who were covered by health insurance for BRCA1/2 genetic testing. Responses were obtained from 31 patients with breast cancer (29 test takers and 2 non-test takers), suggesting that insurance coverage promotes genetic testing in these patients. The main motivation for genetic testing was “concern for siblings/children”; and over 90 percent of respondents planned to inform their relatives about the results of genetic testing. In addition, even among mutation-negative patients, there was an obvious increase in “State of Mood,” which was a negative emotional change caused by background characteristics such as family history of breast cancer, having daughters and preoperative states. These results suggested that psychological support should be provided to some extent for breast cancer patients, even those testing negative for BRCA1/2.