查看文章

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review of the effects of genetic counselling and testing for familial breast cancer on women's perception of risk and psychological morbidity.

Data sources: MEDLINE, PsychLIT and EMBASE were searched for the period 1980–2001.

Study selection: Studies were eligible if published in a peer‐reviewed journal in English, included women with a family history of breast cancer who underwent genetic counselling or testing and had either a randomised controlled trial or prospective design, with a pre‐ and at least one post‐counselling assessment.

Data synthesis: As there was considerable heterogeneity in populations and measures, results were summarised rather than subjected to meta‐analysis.

Results: Overall, genetic counselling and testing appear to produce psychological benefits and to improve accuracy of risk perception. Carriers of mutations in cancer predisposition …