Psychosocial outcomes after varying risk management strategies in women at increased familial breast cancer risk: A mixed methods study of patient and partner outcomes

Morgan, J., MacInnes, E., Erskine, S., Walters, S. J., Cook, J., Collins, K. and Wyld, L. (2024) Psychosocial outcomes after varying risk management strategies in women at increased familial breast cancer risk: A mixed methods study of patient and partner outcomes. Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 106 (1). pp. 78-91. ISSN 0035-8843

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Abstract

Introduction: Female carriers of BRCA1/2 genes have an increased lifetime risk of breast cancer. Options for managing risk include imaging surveillance or risk-reducing surgery (RRS). This mixed methods study aimed to identify factors affecting risk-management decisions and the psychosocial outcomes of these decisions for high-risk women and their partners.  Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were performed with women at high breast cancer risk who had faced these choices. Partners were also interviewed. Analysis used a framework approach. A bespoke questionnaire was developed to quantify and explore associations.  Results: A total of 32 women were interviewed. Of these, 27 had partners of whom 7 (26%) agreed to be interviewed. Four main themes arose: perception of risk and impact of increased risk; risk-management strategy decision-making; impact of risk-management strategy; support needs and partner relationship issues. The questionnaire response rate was 36/157 (23%). Decision satisfaction was high in both surveillance and RRS groups. Relationship changes were common but not universal. Common causes of distress following RRS included adverse body image changes. Both groups experienced generalised and cancer-specific anxiety. Drivers for surgery included having children, deaths of close family from breast cancer and higher levels of cancer anxiety.  Conclusions: Levels of psychosocial and decision satisfaction were high for women choosing both RRS and surveillance but, for a minority, risk-reducing measures result in long-term psychosocial morbidity. Efforts to recognise women at increased risk of psychological morbidity may allow targeted support.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	brca gene carriers,decision making,psychosocial outcomes,risk-reducing surgery,screening,surveillance,medicine(all),sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School Faculty of Social Sciences > Norwich Business School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Nutrition and Preventive Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Public Health
Related URLs:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	22 Dec 2025 13:30
Last Modified:	28 Dec 2025 07:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/101476
DOI:	10.1308/rcsann.2023.0042

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