A new study, conducted by Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, shows that it is common for mothers to discuss their genetic test results with their children, even when they test positive for BRCA1 and BRCA 2 mutation. These gene mutations drastically increase a woman’s risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer in the future. The new study also suggested that mothers who choose not to discuss their test results are often unsatisfied with the decision to do so.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Kenneth Tercyak, director of behavioral prevention research at Georgetown Lombardi says, “We know from women we’ve counseled at Georgetown that one of their main considerations of genetic testing for cancer risk is what the results will mean for their children.”

Tercyak goes on to say that talking to children about the risk of developing cancer “may already be on the radar” for mothers with a strong family history of cancer who are seeking genetic testing. Women have a tendency to reach decisions about if they should, when and how to share genetic testing results with their children soon after they receive the results as a way to educate and prepare them for the future.

The study was published in the journal Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. More than 200 mothers of children 8 to 21 were enrolled in the study, which was conducted at the Mount Sinai cancer center in New York and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Standardized assessments were performed before genetic testing and one month after.

“We found that half of mothers disclosed their genetic test results to their children, especially if the children were teenagers,” says Tercyak. “Parents say sharing the information is often a relief and that it’s part of their duty as parents to convey it.”

Tercyak went on to say, “Mothers also were more likely to disclose their test results if they felt the benefits of sharing the information outweighed its risks.”

He further explained, “Younger children are more concrete thinkers. The concept of a gene that causes cancer might be too abstract for some to understand and appreciate, but not others. We encourage parents to ask themselves ‘Is my child ready to learn this?'”

During the study, Tercyak and his team also looked at the satisfaction of women who chose to inform their children. Mothers who chose not to disclose their results were less satisfied with their decision, as were mothers who felt conflicted over how to act.

Tercyak says, “When parents feel conflicted, overwhelmed or uncertain, it can compromise their judgement, making them second guess and regret their choices.”

“These can be hard choices about sensitive issues, especially for healthy mothers with younger children who opt to have surgery.” he adds, in reference to mothers who tested BRCA positive and opted for prophylactic mastectomies or oophorectomies. “We associate surgery and doctors appointments with being sick. It can be difficult to explain why surgery is needed to prevent an illness.”

Tercyak and his team have developed a communication tool for helping parents talk to their children about hereditary cancer risk and prevention. “We’re evaluating what works best for parents to help them make and act on decisions that are right for them and their families.”