Disclosing cancer genetic information within families: perspectives of counselees and their at-risk relatives

The aim of the present descriptive study was to investigate the experience of sharing genetic information among cancer genetic counselees and their at-risk relatives. In total, 147 cancer genetic counselees and 81 of their at-risk relatives answered to a study specific questionnaire and/or were interviewed. Counselees' communication of genetic information to at-risk relatives was assessed with regard to who they informed, how they felt, and how they perceived their relatives' reactions. In addition, at-risk relatives' experiences of receiving genetic information were studied. Most of the counselees had shared the genetic information received at the counseling session personally with their at-risk relatives. The majority of the counselees (68%) reported positive or neutral feelings about sharing the genetic information with their relatives while 9% stated negative feelings. Counselees mostly interpreted the relatives' reactions to the information as positive or neutral (62% of responses), and in few cases as negative (14% of responses). About half of relatives reported positive or neutral reactions (54%) to the received information, while about one-fifth reported negative reactions (22%). Nevertheless, most relatives were satisfied with the received information and half of the relatives intended to seek genetic counseling themselves. Sharing genetic information to at-risk relatives appears to be accomplished without any major difficulties or negative feelings. However, more assistance may be needed to optimize the communication of the genetic information within at-risk families.