Monday, August 12, 2013

Breast cancer care, risk behavior in adolescents

Tags

Breast cancer care, risk behavior in adolescents

-

teenage girls with a familial or genetic risk for breast cancer worry about getting the disease even when their mother is not history, compared to girls their age without known risks high, according to new data presented today by Penn Abramson Cancer Center of Medicine researchers at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago (Abstract # 9527). Initial analyzes suggest that this concern can increase risk behaviors such as smoking and possibly alcohol, but do not seem to influence positive behaviors, such as exercise.

For the study, Angela Bradbury, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the hematology-oncology division at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and colleagues at Penn Medicine and Fox Chase cancer Center, evaluated psychosocial adjustments (specific concern cancer, anxiety and depression) and health behavior in 320 girls aged 13 to 19 (208 were classified as high risk and 112 were classified as at risk in the general population). The girls were considered "high risk" if they had a relative with a BRCA1 / 2 mutation or at least one parent with a history of breast cancer. The girls were classified as "risk to the public" if they had a parent who has tested negative for a true BRCA1 / 2 mutation or not the family cancer history.

The study found that high-risk girls have a lot more worries about the disease than girls the population at risk, even if mom has no history of the disease. There was no difference between groups generalized anxiety and depression. high-risk girls were also more likely to perceive their risk to life as higher than other girls their age at-risk population (73 v. 32 percent). Interestingly, some girls risk population also believe to be at increased breast cancer risk, especially as they age.

"breast cancer concern for girls who have to mothers with breast cancer is well signposted. But one of the most surprising results of this study is that life as part of a breast cancer family, regardless of whether the mother has breast cancer or not, has an impact on these young girls "said Bradbury. Another key finding is that the worry and anxiety of the mother are strongly associated with worry and anxiety of her daughter. "More needs to be understood about the impact on behavior adjustment and psychosocial health girls transition to adulthood. The more we understand what young girls know about breast cancer risk low or high risk and how they perceive this information, the more we can help correct misconceptions they may have and address their concerns in favor of development. "

the study also revealed some differences in behavior health in both groups of girls (aged 13-19). High-risk girls were much more likely to smoke cigarettes. High-risk girls were also more likely to try alcohol, although this difference was not statistically significant. Conversely, the analysis revealed no significant differences in preventive behaviors, such as exercise or self-examination among girls. Although high-risk girls were more likely to perform a breast self-exam and less likely to have ever had a clinical breast exam.

"That concern is reflected in greater risk-taking behavior is a concern and the data suggests this possibility. This is a crucial time for the development of behavior and understanding of the impact the awareness of the risk of breast cancer on the development of health behaviors could provide opportunities to promote cancer preventive behavior earlier, "said Bradbury. "We need more research to fully understand how this knowledge affects girls and their families to tailor interventions so that we can optimize care and promote adaptation measures in risk of breast cancer in girls and their mothers. "

Bradbury presented the team's findings at ASCO Monday, June 2, 2014 the poster session of patient care and Survivor 8:00 to 11:00 in McCormick Place S102.


EmoticonEmoticon