Conditions and Consequences of a BRCA Mutation in Young, Single Women of Childbearing Age.
Summary of "Conditions and Consequences of a BRCA Mutation in Young, Single Women of Childbearing Age."
Purpose/Objectives: To explore the experiences of young, single women who are at increased risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) because of a BRCA mutation.Research Approach: Qualitative.Setting: Seven states and Canada.Participants: 11 single women aged 18-35 years who tested positive for a BRCA mutation.Methodologic Approach: Grounded theory with in-depth individual interviews conducted via e-mail or telephone.Findings: Analysis resulted in three conditions and three consequences. Conditions were dating or not dating, time in a relationship, and physical impact of surgery or breast cancer treatment. Consequences were explaining their choices, experiencing a sense of urgency, and experiencing a sense of loss.Conclusions: Young women who are at risk for HBOC face a complex array of decisions after finding out that they carry a BRCA mutation. Being single and childless adds to this complexity.Interpretation: Nurses can listen to young women with HBOC risk, help them clarify their fears and understanding of their risk, and provide nonthreatening support that goes beyond simply providing more information and includes a nonjudgmental understanding of the young women's experience.
Affiliation
Department of Women, Children, and Family Nursing in the College of Nursing, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Oncology nursing forum
ISSN: 1538-0688
Pages: 627-34
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20797954
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1188/10.ONF.627-634
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Women's Health
The concept covering the physical and mental conditions of women.
Point Mutation
A mutation caused by the substitution of one nucleotide for another. This results in the DNA molecule having a change in a single base pair.
Waist-hip Ratio
The waist circumference measurement divided by the hip circumference measurement. For both men and women, a waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) of 1.0 or higher is considered "at risk" for undesirable health consequences, such as heart disease and ailments associated with OVERWEIGHT. A healthy WHR is 0.90 or less for men, and 0.80 or less for women. (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2004)
Heteroduplex Analysis
A method of detecting gene mutation by mixing PCR-amplified mutant and wild-type DNA followed by denaturation and reannealing. The resultant products are resolved by gel electrophoresis, with single base substitutions detectable under optimal electrophoretic conditions and gel formulations. Large base pair mismatches may also be analyzed by using electron microscopy to visualize heteroduplex regions.
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
The consequences of exposing the FETUS in utero to certain factors, such as NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA; PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS; DRUGS; RADIATION; and other physical or chemical factors. These consequences are observed later in the offspring after BIRTH.
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