Impact Of Genetic Testing For Breast Cancer Predisposition On Psychological Adjustment And Related Health Behaviours.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,897.00
Summary
This Australia-wide, longitudinal study will examine the psychological effects of testing for breast cancer predisposing genes in women with a strong family history of breast cancer. Mutation detection carries with it the possibility of improving survival through increased emphasis on screening and prevention, while those found to be non-carriers can return to population screening levels, alleviating both their anxiety and the costs associated with greater vigilance. Preventative surgery is now ....This Australia-wide, longitudinal study will examine the psychological effects of testing for breast cancer predisposing genes in women with a strong family history of breast cancer. Mutation detection carries with it the possibility of improving survival through increased emphasis on screening and prevention, while those found to be non-carriers can return to population screening levels, alleviating both their anxiety and the costs associated with greater vigilance. Preventative surgery is now known to significantly reduce risk in women with a strong family history of breast cancer. Whether these potential benefits are realised in practice needs to be evaluated, as do potential psychological harms, if any. Predictive genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer has become technically possible before its impact on psychological outcomes has been evaluated. As yet there are no Australian data on the impact of predisposition testing in any potentially treatable adult onset conditions and only preliminary overseas data. Results from this study may therefore have application to other potentially treatable adult onset conditions. Changes before and after testing in psychological status will be studied (using established methodology) over a 2-year period to identify when negative outcomes are most likely to occur. In addition, this study aims to identify factors that facilitate or hinder psychological adjustment so as to inform clinical decisions about testing and to allow appropriate interventions to be devised. Assessment of individual's preferences for the amount of information they receive will allow tailoring of information to maximise the benefit of educational materials and potentially minimise distress. Factors which influence women's decisions to undertake prophylactic surgery and their satisfaction with those procedures will be assessed.Read moreRead less
Identification And Molecular Characterisation Of High-risk Premalignant Breast Lesions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,382.00
Summary
Understanding the full repertoire of genetic events that underlie the development of breast cancer may allow development of prevention strategies. This study will analyse genetic data of benign breast lesions that may be non-obligate precursors of breast cancer. Importantly, clinical management of these lesions is difficult. A reliable method of predicting the risk of progression to cancer would be a significant advance, with benefits to individual patients and also the health system.
Gestational diabetes is an important medical condition. We plan to investigate two subgroups of women with gestational diabetes. Firstly, women who have diabetes antibodies in pregnancy. Secondly, women who have a mild form of diabetes caused by a single gene mutation, who may be first identified during pregnancy. Correct identification of these subgroups of women is important for immediate and long-term management of both the mother and her fetus.
Models And Quality Of Genetic Health Services For Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$351,240.00
Summary
Genetic health services are playing an increasingly important role in improving human health. Aboriginal people are underrepresented in such services despite a higher prevalence of a number of genetically determined conditions and evidence of willingness to access these services. Our grant will inform the development of effective models of genetic health service provision for Aboriginal people. This will improve health equity both now and in the future.
Psychosocial Implications Of Genetic Counselling And Testing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,946.00
Summary
I am a psychologist by background, and my research program focuses on the psychological impact of genetic counselling and testing for adult-onset disorders, in particular cancer susceptibility; psychological adjustment of those at risk for adult-onset disorders; and the design and evaluation of interventions in the genetic counselling setting, in particular the use of decision aids as an innovative means of patient education.
Most eye diseases have a genetic contribution, whether rare disorders affecting children such as retinoblastoma or congenital cataracts through to common disorders of older people such as myopia, age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. We will continue our successful research to find genes that cause these diseases and use this to improve patient care and prevent blindness. We will work out how families can use this genetic information to participate in trials to develop new treatments.