Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2025

Functional Assessment of BRCA1 variants using CRISPR-Mediated Base Editors
Published on: February 28, 2021
"There's gonna be a lot more heartache". Coping with a BRCA1/2 alteration: A qualitative reflexive thematic analysis
Nikolett Zs Warner1, AnnMarie Groarke1
1School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
Background:
This examines the coping needs of individuals with a BRCA1/2 alteration in Ireland. This study examined coping and information needs in this cohort, and was nested within a larger study in order to develop an online tool to promote positive adaptation following the identification of a BRCA1/2 alteration.
Method:
A total of 18 participants took part in individual, semi-structured online interviews. A reflexive thematic analysis was employed to analyse data. A public and patient involvement panel of six individuals with a BRCA1/2 alteration provided input on terminology and study design.
Results:
Two key themes were identified. "Adjusting to a new perspective" was the first, referring to how individuals readjusted to their life after finding out about their BRCA1/2 genetic status. This theme had two subthemes (i) "emotional aspects", reflecting how participants navigated the emotive aspects of their BRCA1/2 alteration status and (ii) "relationships changing", which encompassed the ways in which interpersonal relationships were impacted by BRCA1/2. The second theme, "making sense of BRCA" had two subthemes, (i) "meaning making", depicting how participants found meaning through their BRCA1/2 alteration status, and (ii) "hope", which details the frequent reliance on hope as a means to cope with their genetic status.
Conclusions:
Individuals with a BRCA1/2 alteration require specialised psychological support to assist with navigating their situation, with a focus on how to prepare for the emotional and relationship changes that the identification of BRCA1/2 alteration in the family can elicit. Providing decisional aids and informational tools may assist in meeting this need.
More Related Videos
08:53Identifying the Effects of BRCA1 Mutations on Homologous Recombination using Cells that Express Endogenous Wild-type BRCA1
Published on: February 17, 2011
13:04In Vivo and Ex Vivo Approaches to Study Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Colonization of Milky Spot Structures in Peritoneal Adipose
Published on: October 14, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Coping Strategies: Problem Focused
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Bonanno's Theory of Grieving
Resilience
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...