Cancer Patients Who Experienced Diagnostic Genetic Testing for Cancer Susceptibility: Reactions and Behavior after the Disclosure of a Positive Test Result1

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the consequences of the disclosure of a positive genetic test result to patients affected with cancer. Personal repercussions and patients ’ behavior with the transmission of their results to relatives were considered. We conducted semistructured interviews with 23 cancer patients identified as carriers of a cancer-predisposing mutation for hereditary breast ovarian or nonpolyposis colorectal cancers, 1 month after the disclosure of the test result. Eight patients spontaneously expressed distressed reactions (“you no longer feel cured”), and 14 patients reported at least one negative feeling (dissatisfied, discouraged, unhappy, or worried), despite expecting to be a carrier. Sixteen patients expressed concerns abou