Cancer genetic counseling and quality of life: The effect of coping strategies and psychopathological symptoms during pretest genetic counseling

The cancer genetic counseling (CGC) identifies genetic mutations for hereditary neoplastic diseases, but little is known on its psychological effects on subjects. Methods. The present study involved women who underwent genetic counseling for breast or ovarian cancer: 19 unaffected, 43 current patients, and 28 past patients. The aim of the study was to examine the relation between coping strategies and the quality of life during genetic counseling before testing, considering the effects of psychopathological symptoms and the health status. Results. Results showed that the use of avoidance strategies led to a decrease in quality of life, and that this relationship was entirely mediated by the intensity of psychopathological symptoms, while the health status did not show any effect on it. Conclusions. The study, which is the first in Italy, suggests the importance of assessing coping strategies in subjects who undergo the CGO to identify individuals who are at risk of decrease of psychological well-being. Indeed, psychological counselling improving coping strategies could preserve the psychological well-being of individuals.