Communicating cancer risk information: the challenges of uncertainty

Developments in predictive testing for inherited cancers have focused attention on the accurate and sensitive communication of risk information. Although sharing risk information is often equated with genetic testing, it is important to acknowledge that the need for risk information related to famil...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Patient education and counseling 1998, Vol.33 (1), p.67-81
Main Authors: Bottorff, Joan L, Ratner, Pamela A, Johnson, Joy L, Lovato, Chris Y, Joab, S.Amanda
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cancer
Communication
Counseling
Counselling
Familial cancer
Female
Genetic Counseling
Genetic testing
Genetics
Heredity
Humans
Interpersonal Communication
Male
Neoplasms - genetics
Nursing
Patient Education
Patient Education as Topic
Risk
Risk Assessment
Risk communication
Risk Management
Truth Disclosure
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Developments in predictive testing for inherited cancers have focused attention on the accurate and sensitive communication of risk information. Although sharing risk information is often equated with genetic testing, it is important to acknowledge that the need for risk information related to familial cancer is also relevant to those not eligible for, or interested in, testing. Communicating cancer risk information is germane to a number of health professions including physicians, geneticists, genetic counsellors, psychologists, nurses, health educators and social workers. Based on a literature review of 75 research reports, expert opinion papers and clinical protocols, we provide a synthesis of what is known about the communication of cancer risk information and make recommendations for the enhancement of knowledge and practice in the field.
ISSN:0738-3991
1873-5134
DOI:10.1016/S0738-3991(97)00047-5