Request for interview with women who have tested positive for the BRCA 1 and 2 genes.
posted on May 7, 2009 at 8:14 am
BRCA NEWSWORTHY
5/2/09
My name is Sharlene Hesse-Biber and I am a sociologist and Director of Women’s Studies at Boston College.
I am conducting a study on women who test positive for the BRCA 1 and 2 genes.
I hope to address the issue of why women seek genetic testing for breast cancer and how they respond to a positive result, as well as the roles that other people i their lives play throughout the pre and post genetic testing process.
I hope to be able to set up a time to explore your experiences with genetic testing for the BRCA 1 and 2 genes. Such an interview would take about a half hour. Your participation within this research is completely voluntary, and if you choose to participate, you are able to withdraw from the study at any point you may desire throughout the project. I can interview you over the phone or if you are in commuting distance I can interview you in person if you like.
I would also like to take a moment to tell you a little more about the study. I aim to address a current lack in research on women’s experiences with genetic testing for genes linked to breast cancer and their responses to a positive result. Some of the questions that we will explore are:
- How do women seek genetic testing for breast cancer? Why do women choose to get tested for a condition that may or may not develop, or have control over?
- What is the lived experience of women who have had a positive result from their genetic test? How is this affected if they have a family history of breast cancer?
- What decisions, if any, do they make once they have a positive result? Is there a different between their immediate and long-term decisions
- What role do their immediate family network, close friends, and co-workers play in their decision to get tested and in their post-testing experience?
If you are interested in participating in this study please email me to let me know. My email address is hesse@bc.edu
I am happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.