open access: European Jnl Human Genetics - Permanence of the information given during oncogenetic counseling to persons at familial risk of breast/ovarian and/or colon cancer

"How long counselees retain the information given during their genetic consultation is of major importance. To address this issue, we conducted a survey among the 3500 families that have been offered genetic counseling at our Center since 1988........."

Discussion

"This prospective survey belongs to the very few that studied the evolution of genetic knowledge of persons with a cancer hereditary risk. The range of topics surveyed appeared adequate to answer our questions. The 58% response rate was rather good for a survey sent by mail. 

Surprisingly, the outcome did not confirm our initial hypothesis: the observed level of knowledge of persons who had undergone genetic counseling did not change with time.......... It seems that once they had been informed, the information was retained.........