Decisional outcomes of maternal disclosure of BRCA1/2 genetic test results to children

Abstract

Background: Although BRCA1/2 genetic testing is discouraged in minors, mothers may disclose their own results to their children. Factors affecting patients' disclosure decisions and patient outcomes of disclosure are largely unknown. Methods: Mothers (N = 221) of children aged 8 to 21 years enrolled in this prospective study of family communication about cancer genetic testing. Patients underwent BRCA1/2 genetic counseling and testing, and completed standardized behavioral assessments before and 1-month following receipt of their results. Results: Most patients (62.4%) disclosed BRCA1/2 test results to their child. Patients were more likely to disclose if they received negative or uninformative versus positive results [OR = 3.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11-8.71; P = .03], their child was 13 years of age or more versus younger (OR = 5.43; 95% CI, 2.18-13.53; P < .001), and as the ratio of patients' perceived benefits of disclosure outweighed potential risks (OR = 2.40; 95% CI, 1.63-3.54; P < .001). Postdecision satisfaction about disclosure was lowest among nondisclosing patients (P < .001) and those reporting greater decisional conflict (P