"I've just never gotten around to doing it": Men's approaches to managing BRCA-related cancer risks. Issue 2 (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rauscher, Emily A.; Dean, Marleah
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 101:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 340
• Page End: 345
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: BRCA -- Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer -- Genetics -- Risk management -- Patient perspectives; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2017.07.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Testing positive for BRCA increases a patient's likelihood of developing cancer. 25 Interviews were conducted with men with BRCA -related cancer risks. Men are both engaged and passively avoidant in managing their BRCA -related cancer risks. Results assist healthcare providers in helping men manage their risks. Abstract: Objective: To examine men's approaches to managing BRCA -related cancer risks. Methods: 25 Qualitative interviews were conducted with men who are at risk for BRCA -related cancers. Thematic analysis was conducted using the constant comparison. Results: Qualitative analysis revealed two different approaches for how men managed their BRCA -related cancer risks. Men were engaged when: (1) initially seeking information, (2) uptake of genetic testing, and (3) population screening procedures. Men were passively avoidant for: (1) follow-up information seeking, (2) uptake of genetic testing, and (3) BRCA- specific screening. Men's justifications for engaged risk management were to: (1) protect their family, (2) respond to encouragement from others, and (3) get knowledge for themselves. Their justifications for passively avoidant management were due to: (1) limited access to clear risk information, (2) little fear of cancer development, (3) barriers to testing/screening, and (4) reliance on incomplete illness representations. Conclusions: Men at risk for developing BRCA -related cancers approached risk management by primarily using a passive avoidance approach. That approach should be interpreted in context with the inconsistent information available to them, and the minimal NCCN guidelines for their risk surveillance. Practice implications: Findings may assist healthcare providers and family members in helping men manage their BRCA -related cancer risks.