Perceived cancer risk and genetic counseling: A biopsychological perspective

In Italy, genetic testing is becoming a regular part of clinical practice in public healthcare. The clinical implications are that probands' educational level and relatives' ages for cascade genetic screening should be considered during counseling. The study aimed to investigate the role of cancer worry in the psychological dimensions of patients undergoing genetic testing and to analyze its moderating effect thereon. We conducted an observational study based on a sample of 55 patients aged between 19 years and 73 years. The sample was classified into two groups based on genetic-testing indications: oncological diagnosis eligible for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) genetic testing and patients eligible for family cascade testing by known genetic mutation in HBOC. A psychological battery was applied after the first scheduled genetic counseling. Our findings highlighted the relevance of cancer worry in the management of genetic counseling. The influence of cancer worry on dysphoria traits is that patients/relatives undergoing genetic testing feel vulnerable. Genomic medicine oriented to the biopsychosocial (BPS) approach in the counseling process could be the driving force for efficient and integrated genomic-risk assessment.