Dating and disclosure in young adults with a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome: A quantitative analysis.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to understand the differences in how young adults with various cancer predisposition syndromes (CPS) feel toward disclosing their diagnosis to romantic partners.

METHODS

Young adults with a CPS completed a cross-sectional survey. Data analysis of 158 responses was performed via SPSS v 27.0 descriptive statistics. One-way ANOVA analyses, and post-hoc pairwise comparisons examining CPS, gender, and sexual orientation were performed.

RESULTS

Individuals with Lynch syndrome favored disclosing later in a relationship compared to those with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) (p = 0.050). Individuals who identified as bisexual preferred disclosing more information about their CPS than those who identified as heterosexual (p = 0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with various CPS experience a myriad of feelings and attitudes surrounding dating and disclosure. This information can lead to better sensitivity and awareness of this topic by healthcare providers, ultimately improving the level of care given to these individuals.