Monday, November 3, 2003

This presentation is part of : Experiencing a Chronic Illness

Meanings and Conceptual Structures That Organize the Experience of Making Sense of Inconclusive Genetic Testing Results to Breast and Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility

This presentation will highlight meanings and conceptual structures that make up the experience of making sense of inconclusive genetic testing results for those with a significant family history of breast and ovarian cancer. Objective: Discuss research results and explore their implications for genetic nursing practices. Design: Retrospective qualitative study using an interpretive framework. Population, sample setting: Individuals and family members with a significant family history with breast and ovarian cancer who have gone through genetic testing for susceptibility to the disease in a hereditary cancer program in Canada. Purpose of study: Interpret how individuals make sense of inconclusive genetic testing results to BRCA1 and BRCA2 and describe how the meanings of their experience is interpreted in their everyday life, health and illness experiences. Concept studied: Making sense of inconclusive genetic testing results to BRCA1 and BRCA2. Findings: The results will show how individuals and family members share similar and contrasting stories when it comes to making sense of inconclusive genetic testing results. These similarities and differences will illuminate the variations on the stages and forms of the process of making sense. Conclusion: Genetic assessment and genetic testing services are slowly making its entry into the general practice of nursing. In order to adapt and give efficient care, nurses should become knowledgeable of the possible experiences that individuals and families with a significant history with breast and ovarian cancer can go through when they receive an inconclusive genetic testing result.

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