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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Jan 27.
Published in final edited form as: Fam Cancer. 2009 Jul 17;9(1):89–97. doi: 10.1007/s10689-009-9267-3

Table 4.

Potential Reasons Mothers May Cite For and Against Discussing Genetic Testing with Children

Reasons For
  1. I am close with my children and generally like to tell them about issues as they are happening; we have an open relationship.

  2. I think they are old enough and mature enough to understand what this means.

  3. I think the information would be reassuring to them.

  4. I think they would want to know, or they have already asked me some questions about their risks of developing cancer.

  5. It will help them understand why I developed cancer or why there is cancer in our family.

  6. I am thinking about taking steps for cancer screening or risk reduction, and I want them to know why I am doing it.

  7. I think they may learn about this from someone else in our family.

  8. I would like them to think about steps they can take to protect their own health.

  9. They already know about genetic testing and want to know how this will affect them.

Reasons Against
  1. I generally do not share information about my health with my children.

  2. I think they are too young or not mature enough to understand what this means.

  3. I think the information would be too difficult to explain.

  4. I do not think they would want to know this information or would be concerned about it.

  5. I am not ready to talk about it yet, or I am unsure what I want to say.

  6. I feel too overwhelmed with my own decisions that I have to make right now; this is not a good time for me.

  7. My husband/partner does not agree about whether or when to discuss the issue with them.

  8. There’s nothing my children can do about this right now, so I want to wait until they are older.

  9. I think they may worry too much or they might develop unhealthy thoughts about their lives; I want to protect them.

Note. This list was utilized in the decision worksheet section under “Exploring Your Needs”. Mothers were instructed to check those that apply and to add their own potential reasons for talking about their genetic testing experience with their children