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Table 3 Motivation for patient to choose not to pursue genetic counselling

From: The withdrawal from oncogenetic counselling and testing for hereditary and familial breast and ovarian cancer. A descriptive study of an Italian sample

Reasons for discontinuing genetic counselling

Frequency

Percentage

1) The aim of the genetic testing is not clear

10

17,9

2) I do not feel able to face the stress of hospital visits

24

42,9

3) I am afraid of the consequences of any negative information, for me or my family

27

48,2

4) I do not feel it is fair to involve my family

18

32,1

5) I feel guilty towards my family

5

8,9

6) My family is against genetic testing

4

7,1

7) My partner is against genetic testing

3

5,4

8) I do not want to know if I have a genetic mutation which predisposes me to cancer

15

26,8

9) The test is a waste of time as it will not improve the quality of my life

14

25,0

10) The test is a waste of time as I already have cancer

6

10,7

11) The hospital is too far away

21

37,5

12) I do not have time to do all the visits needed for the genetic testing program

19

33,9

13) Having the test will not prevent me from getting cancer

23

41,1

14) I was not able to get an appointment with the doctor because the administration was unavailable

9

16,1

15) I was not able to get an appointment with the doctor because the phone-line was always engaged

13

23,2

16) The doctor was unavailable

2

3,6

17) I did not feel the medical staff was sufficently welcoming

7

12,5

18) I do not feel I can face the stress of having blood tests

2

3,6

19) I would not be able to tell my family any bad news

18

32,1

20) It would be to hard to know that I would probabely develop cancer

24

42,9

21) If I were to be a carrier of a mutation I could not stand the idea of undergoing frequent check-ups

10

17,9

22) I think early diagnosis is a waste of time

4

7,1