Publications
Finding the five-year window: A qualitative study examining young women's decision-making and experience of using tamoxifen to reduce BRCA1/2 breast cancer risk
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTamoxifen has been demonstrated to reduce breast cancer risk in high-risk, premenopausal women. Yet, very few young women with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome in Australia use tamoxifen, despite this being a less-invasive option compared to risk-reducing mastectomy. This study aims to examine young women's decision-making about and experience of taking tamoxifen to reduce their breast cancer risk.MethodsYoung women with a BRCA1/2 mutation participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews, recruited mainly from a metropolitan clinical genetics service. Data were analysed using an inductive, team-based approach to thematic analysis.ResultsForty interviews with women aged 20–40 years with a BRCA1/2 mutation were conducted. Eleven women could not recall discussing tamoxifen with their healthcare provider or were too young to commence cancer risk management. Twenty-three women chose not to use tamoxifen because it is contraindicated for pregnancy or because it did not offer immediate and great enough risk reduction compared to bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy. Six women who were definite about not wanting to have children during the following 5-year period chose to use tamoxifen, and most experienced none or transient side effects.ConclusionsDecision-making about tamoxifen was nuanced and informed by considerations characteristic of young adulthood, especially childbearing. Therefore, clinical discussions about tamoxifen with young women with a BRCA1/2 mutation must include consideration of their reproductive plans.
Type | Journal |
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ISBN | 1057-9249 |
Authors | Forrest, Laura E.; Forbes Shepherd, Rowan; Young, Mary-Anne; Keogh, Louise A.; James, Paul A. |
Responsible Garvan Author | Mary-Anne Young |
Publisher Name | PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY |
Published Date | 2021-02-28 |
Published Volume | 30 |
Published Issue | 2 |
Published Pages | 159-166 |
Status | Published in-print |
DOI | 10.1002/pon.5556 |
URL link to publisher's version | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33006205 |