Background: Some women have a high chance of developing breast and ovarian cancer because of a change in a gene that is passed within a family from one generation to the next. These women with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) have to make hard choices about tests and treatments. Researchers want to study how to help women to feel ready to make those choices. A kind of writing exercise might help if it is done before genetic counseling. This writing exercise is called a self-affirmation (SA) exercise. It may lead to better communication during counseling and better behavioral outcomes. Objective: To see if an SA exercise done before HBOC genetic counseling could improve client communication and behavior. Eligibility: * Clients: Adult female \>=18 years of age with initial appointment for HBOC risk with genetic counselor at St. Luke's Health System * Genetic Counselors: Genetic counselors \>=18 years of age providing genetic counseling to clients at risk for HBOC Design: Clients will be screened by phone prior to their genetic counseling appointment. They will arrive 15 minutes early to their appointment. They will do a 10 to 15 minute survey and writing exercise. This includes questions about: * Things that are important to them * How they are feeling prior to the appointment After their genetic counseling appointment, they will take a 10- to 15-minute follow-up survey. It can be in the office or online. It will include questions about: * How they felt about the writing exercise * How they felt about their genetic counseling * If they had cancer * If they were offered and had genetic testing Genetic counselor participants will take a 2 to 5 minute survey after each session with a client in the study. This will include questions about how the client was in the session. They also will take a 10 to 15 minute survey at the end of the study. It will be about their opinions on the process of having their clients complete the writing exercise.
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Test Uptake: Number of Clients Who Indicated Intention to Have Genetic Testing
Timeframe: Assessed within 1 week after completing the genetic counseling session
Number of Clients Who Indicated "Intention to Talk With Family" About Genetic Testing Result
Timeframe: Assessed within 1 week after completing the genetic counseling session
Likelihood of Talking With Family Members
Timeframe: Assessed within 1 week after completing the genetic counseling session
Decision Self-efficacy: Ability to Confidently Make Decision About Genetic Testing
Timeframe: Assessed within 1 week after completing the genetic counseling session
Client Knowledge: Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Knowledge Post Counselling Session
Timeframe: Assessed within one week after completing the genetic counseling session
Patient Empowerment (Client Completed): Ability to Manage Information and Risk Associated With Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) (Decisional Control, Cognitive Control, Behavioral Control, Emotional Regulation, and Hope)
Timeframe: Assessed within one week after completing the genetic counseling session
Patient Empowerment (Genetic Counselor Completed): Client's Ability to Manage Information and Risk Associated With HBOC (Decisional Control, Cognitive Control, Behavioral Control, Emotional Regulation, and Hope)
Timeframe: Assessed immediately after completing the genetic counseling visit