Genetic Risk Disclosure and Family Sharing

Abstract

Detecting inherited predispositions to certain health risks such as cancer can lead to better prevention strategies and management decisions, ultimately reducing morbidity and health risk. Effectively distributing genetic risk information is contingent upon disclosure of risk within families. Family sharing can have a significant impact on family members' decision making concerning their own risk. Past research has found many reasons why individuals are motivated to share their genetic risk test results with their family members. Yet, there are inherent challenges present in these conversations. Understanding both the motivations and barriers to genetic risk disclosure is an important contribution to the efforts to increase cascade testing and the use of genetic counseling.