Abstract In Brazil, the population in general has little knowledge about genetic risks, as well as regarding the role and importance of the Cancer Genetic Counseling (CGC). The goal of this study was to evaluate cancer-related worry and cancer risk perception during CGC sessions in Brazilian women at-risk for hereditary breast cancer. This study was performed in 264 individuals seeking CGC for hereditary breast cancer. Both cancer-affected and unaffected individuals were included. As results, individuals with and without cancer reported different motivations for seeking CGC and undergoing genetic testing. A correlation was observed between age at the first CGC session and age at which the closest relative was diagnosed with cancer. Multivariate analysis showed that educational level, cancer risk discussion within the family, and number of deaths by cancer among first-degree relatives influenced positively the cancer risk perception. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that cancer-related worry and cancer risk perception are significant aspects of morbidity in individuals seeking CGC, whether they are cancer-affected or unaffected. CGC has an important role in health education and cancer prevention for its potential of promoting an accurate perception of the risk.

This study evaluated the quality of life of 20 women with post-mastectomy lymphedema due to breast cancer, using the Flanagan's Adapted Quality of Life Scale (1) and the Visual Analogue Scale (2), with data collection from July to December 2009 in the countryside of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It was observed a lower quality of life concerning participation in recreational and work activities, and better quality of life was related to relationship with friends; listening to music, reading, watching TV and going to the movies. Cronbach's alpha of Scale 1 was 0.86 and the average of Scale 2 was 6.26. Overall, the scales showed satisfactory results of quality of life, but low values showed factors that must be worked out, such as participation in sports, work and learning activities. Thus, lymphedema interferes with the quality of life, indicating a need for early intervention in order to help women achieve better quality of life.

Estudio evaluó la calidad de vida de 20 mujeres con linfedema post mastectomía por cáncer mamario, con uso de la Escalas de Calidad de Vida de Flanagan adaptada (1) y Escala Visual Analógica (2), con recopilación de datos de julio a diciembre de 2009, en interior del São Paulo, Brasil. Se observó menor calidad de vida en la participación en actividades de ocio y trabajo; mejor calidad de vida fueron: relación con amigos, escuchar música, leer, ver TV e ir al cine. O alfa de Cronbach para Escala 1 fue 0,86 y para Escala 2, 6,26. Las escalas señalaron, globalmente, resultados satisfactorios de calidad de vida, pero, bajos valores comprueban existencia de factores que deben ser discutidos, como la participación en recreación, actividades deportivas, trabajo y aprendizaje. El linfedema interfiere en la calidad de vida, indicando necesidad de intervenciones tempranas para ayudar las mujeres a lograr mejor calidad de vida.

Estudo avaliou a qualidade de vida de 20 mulheres com linfedema pós-mastectomia por câncer de mama, utilizando a Escala de Qualidade de Vida de Flanagan adaptada (1) e Escala Visual Analógica (2), com coleta de dados de julho a dezembro de 2009, no interior do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Observou-se menor qualidade de vida quanto participação em atividades de recreação e trabalho, melhor qualidade de vida foram relacionamento com amigos; ouvir música, ler, assistir à TV, ir ao cinema. O alfa de Cronbach da Escala 1 foi 0,86 e a Média da Escala 2 foi 6,26. Globalmente, as Escalas mostraram resultados de qualidade de vida satisfatória, porém baixos valores evidenciam fatores que devem ser trabalhados, como a participação em atividades esportivas, trabalho e aprendizado. Assim, o linfedema interfere na qualidade de vida, indicando necessidade de intervenções precoces, no sentido de auxiliar as mulheres a alcançar melhor qualidade de vida.