These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.
Pubmed for Handhelds
PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS
Search MEDLINE/PubMed
Title: Attitudes toward prophylactic oophorectomy and screening utilization in women at increased risk of developing hereditary breast/ovarian cancer. Author: Meiser B, Butow P, Barratt A, Friedlander M, Gattas M, Kirk J, Suthers G, Walpole I, Tucker K. Journal: Gynecol Oncol; 1999 Oct; 75(1):122-9. PubMed ID: 10502438. Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate ovarian cancer screening uptake and attitudes toward prophylactic oophorectomy in women at risk of developing hereditary breast/ovarian cancer. STUDY METHODS: Ninety-five unaffected women, who approached 1 of 14 familial cancer clinics for advice about their breast/ovarian cancer risk and surveillance and prophylactic options, were assessed in a cross-sectional design when they attended the clinic. RESULTS: Among high-risk women ages 30 and over who had not had a prophylactic oophorectomy, 48% reported ever having had an ovarian ultrasound, and among women ages 50 and over 23% had had a serum CA 125 test. Twenty-three percent of women would consider, and 27% would not consider, a prophylactic oophorectomy should the genetic test indicate a germline mutation associated with hereditary breast/ovarian cancer, while 38% were unsure. Twelve percent had already undergone a prophylactic oophorectomy. Interest in prophylactic oophorectomy was associated with increased breast/ovarian cancer anxiety (chi(2) = 5.14, P = 0.023), but not objective cancer risk (chi(2) = 0.40, P = 0.53). CONCLUSION: Findings demonstrate that breast/ovarian cancer anxiety, rather than objective risk, is the major factor which determines women's attitude to prophylactic oophorectomy. Women are likely to benefit from interventions aimed at reducing breast/ovarian cancer anxiety. Research on the impact of prophylactic oophorectomy would be helpful in the development of educational strategies and decision aids to assist women who are trying to make a decision under conditions of uncertainty.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]