Surgery or Surveillance: How Do Women Decide when Tested Positive as a BRCA Mutation Carrier?

Raised awareness in the mutation genes known as, BRCA1 and BRCA2, has dramatically increased the number of women undergoing genetic testing to inform them if they are at risk of developing breast cancer. This paper explores the main influences that can affect the woman’s decision making processes when tested positive as BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers. The paper concludes that there is a need for a more informed and person-centred approach to genetic counselling for women post-test.