Genetyczne ryzyko nowotworowe kobiet. Mutacja BRCA w perspektywie psychologicznej

Abstract

In the group of patients suffering from breast or ovarian cancer, approximately 5–10% are women diagnosed with a genetic mutation. Among the genes responsible for the increase in cancer risk are, among others BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The presence of a mutation in the gene is associated with the decision on the preferred forms of risk reduction, including prophylactic surgery – mastectomy and adnexectomy. This publication is an attempt at a complex psychological analysis of the functioning of Polish women with the BRCA genetic mutation, depending on the preventive surgery performed. The publication presents the essence of the BRCA genetic mutation in medical terms, showing the mechanism of inheritance and specificity of diagnosis, as well as in psychological terms, thus illustrating selected psychological aspects of the functioning of women with risk of cancer. The paper also describes the risk reduction methods recommended by physicians and the consequences of their use, including, in particular, the consequences of carrying out preventive surgery.