The Genetic Testing Experience of BRCA-Positive Women: Deciding Between Surveillance and Surgery

Little is known about how the breast cancer (BRCA) gene mutation affects women’s decision-making processes. I use a feminist standpoint lens to explore the process by which BRCA-positive women came to socially construct and understand their risk for developing breast and/or ovarian cancer and the tr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Qualitative health research 2014-06, Vol.24 (6), p.773-789
Main Author: Hesse-Biber, Sharlene
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Breast cancer
Decision making
Effects
Genetic testing
Mutation
Ovarian cancer
Women
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Summary:Little is known about how the breast cancer (BRCA) gene mutation affects women’s decision-making processes. I use a feminist standpoint lens to explore the process by which BRCA-positive women came to socially construct and understand their risk for developing breast and/or ovarian cancer and the treatment options they elected post-testing. This study included in-depth interviews with 64 BRCA-positive mutation women, some of whom sought surveillance and others who opted for preventive surgical intervention. The in-depth analysis and case study approach revealed a complex cancer risk assessment resulting in a “nexus of decision making” that does not mirror a statistical medical model of risk assessment. The particular configuration of women’s nexus of decision making impacted their pre- and posttesting BRCA experience as empowering or disempowering, regardless of whether they elected surgery or surveillance. I discuss the implications for development of clinical strategies that will serve to enhance women’s pre- and post-BRCA decision making.
ISSN:1049-7323
1552-7557
DOI:10.1177/1049732314529666