Italian Men Tested for BRCA1/2 Mutation: Psychological Distress during 6-Month Follow-Up

Introduction. Male breast cancer (MBC) is a rare disease, whose main risk factor is genetic vulnerability. Despite care of men with MBC is modeled on care of women, men’s experiences with the disease and concerns related to the status of genetic mutation carrier are unique. So far, little is known concerning the psychological impact in BRCA1/2 testing, especially with regard to specific subset of individuals, such as male subjects and the elderly. Methods. We assessed self-reported anxiety and depression levels in 26 male subjects presenting at Unit of Breast Surgery in Breast Unit of AOUI Verona (MBC patients, n = 7; high-risk unaffected subjects, n = 19). We specifically examined the scores obtained by these subjects in the HADS questionnaire administered before and 6 months after the genetic testing for BRCA gene mutations. Results. Among the 17 unaffected men tested, 7 (41%) received a positive test (either BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic variant) and 10 (59%) a negative test. Of the 9 MBC patients tested, only one subject received a positive test result. No significant differences were observed in mean scores, mean change from baseline to follow-up, either for those with T+ or T− test results. Discussion. Genetic testing for BRCA1/2 mutation was not associated in our sample with increased level of psychological distress as measured with HADS in a short-term evaluation.