Talking to children about genetic test results

Genetic screening presents a unique communication challenge, in that the results do not only affect the person being screened, but may also have implications for family members who share that person's genes. The Wall Street Journal Health Blog reports on a recent study of how and what parents tell their children about screening results for the breast cancer gene. It's not surprising that typically children's reaction are in proportion to what they are told. But this study starts an important ongoing communication conversation that physicians, genetic counselors, and patients need to be aware of. Physicians and genetic counselors need to be aware that when they are counseling a patient, the words may get passed on to others. And patients need to consider what their family members want to know before discussing genetic tests.