A new study has found that a large proportion of American mothers who get tested for a genetic predisposition to cancer (BRCA1 / 2 mutations) end up discussing their results with their children, according to Pannochka, an online publication for girls and women aged 14 to 35. net What's more, the researchers suggested that mothers who don't talk to their children about outcomes are more likely to regret their decision..

Such data were published by scientists from the Lombardi Cancer Center in a recent issue of the journal Cancer Epidemiology..

Lead author Kenneth Terziak, who leads behavioral prevention at Georgetown Lombardi, says one of the main concerns for women undergoing genetic testing for cancer propensity "

Discussing the risk of cancer with children, according to the doctor, was initially on the agenda for most of these patients.. In most cases, the decision to speak frankly with children was taken at a relatively early stage, almost immediately after the results of the analysis were received.. Discussing such data with children is necessary to prepare them for the future and inform about the family “burden”.

A total of over 220 women with children aged 8 to 21 participated in the study, conducted at Georgetown Lombardi, Mount Sinai Medical Center and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The women underwent a standard genetic risk assessment and were interviewed one month after the results were received.. Dr. Terciak says that "

The doctor noted that this brings moral relief to most patients, because they perceive it as their parental duty..

The decision of mothers to talk to their children about the genetic risk of cancer is largely determined by the age of the children.. Terciak adds: “Young children are more concrete. The concept of genetic risk may be too abstract for them.. We believe that parents who know the abilities of their child should determine for themselves whether he is ready for such information..

Mothers who talk to their children about their test results feel satisfied, while those who withhold information from their children are often remorseful.. The authors concluded: “This can be a very difficult choice, especially in cases where the child will have surgery in the future to prevent the disease.. We tend to associate going to the doctor with something bad, with a disease.. It can be very difficult to explain to a child why the operation is needed to prevent the disease..

A team of scientists from Georgetown Lombardi is currently working on creating some standard guidelines, tools that will help parents communicate with children in such situations and correctly inform them about the risk..

Recall that in the United States it is recommended to be screened for BRCA gene mutations at the earliest possible age..

Carriers of such mutations can do tests in time and, if necessary, undergo preventive treatment, including surgery..

medbe. en.