TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceived familial risk of cancer
T2 - Health concerns and psychosocial adjustment
AU - Frost, Marlene Hanson
AU - Vockley, Catherine Walsh
AU - Suman, Vera J.
AU - Greene, Mark H.
AU - Zahasky, Katherine
AU - Hartmann, Lynn
PY - 2000/7/21
Y1 - 2000/7/21
N2 - This study explored the psychosocial morbidity and health concerns accompanying individuals’ perceived increased risk of cancer. Lazarus and Folkman’s concept of stress and coping guided the study. In a Familial Cancer Program, 78 patients were divided into two groups: 39 with and 39 without a cancer diagnosis. Questionnaires completed in the clinic before a risk evaluation included Spielberger’s Trait Anxiety Scale, the Medical Outcome Study Questionnaire, the Bipolar Profile of Mood States (POMS-BI), and an investigator-designed open-ended questions reviewed by a panel of experts. Data analyses using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon rank sum tests revealed differences between qualitative and quantitative interpretations of risk: Patients’ perception of a high lifetime risk ranged from 16% to 88%. A favorable median global mood score was found on the POMS-BI, whereas a distress-specific question revealed an increased level of stress caused by the person’s cancer risk. Trait anxiety correlated significantly with most health and psychosocial variables (r = Q. 22 to.67). Few differences between the two groups were found regarding health concerns and psychosocial variables. Patients identified emotional and family concerns and their uncertain situation most often as being difficult in dealing with their risk, and they identified information, support, and screening most often as being helpful. The findings provide guidance for addressing psychosocial morbidity in members of cancer-prone families.
AB - This study explored the psychosocial morbidity and health concerns accompanying individuals’ perceived increased risk of cancer. Lazarus and Folkman’s concept of stress and coping guided the study. In a Familial Cancer Program, 78 patients were divided into two groups: 39 with and 39 without a cancer diagnosis. Questionnaires completed in the clinic before a risk evaluation included Spielberger’s Trait Anxiety Scale, the Medical Outcome Study Questionnaire, the Bipolar Profile of Mood States (POMS-BI), and an investigator-designed open-ended questions reviewed by a panel of experts. Data analyses using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon rank sum tests revealed differences between qualitative and quantitative interpretations of risk: Patients’ perception of a high lifetime risk ranged from 16% to 88%. A favorable median global mood score was found on the POMS-BI, whereas a distress-specific question revealed an increased level of stress caused by the person’s cancer risk. Trait anxiety correlated significantly with most health and psychosocial variables (r = Q. 22 to.67). Few differences between the two groups were found regarding health concerns and psychosocial variables. Patients identified emotional and family concerns and their uncertain situation most often as being difficult in dealing with their risk, and they identified information, support, and screening most often as being helpful. The findings provide guidance for addressing psychosocial morbidity in members of cancer-prone families.
KW - Cancer risk
KW - Familial cancer
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U2 - 10.1300/J077v18n01_04
DO - 10.1300/J077v18n01_04
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0033846414
SN - 0734-7332
VL - 18
SP - 63
EP - 82
JO - Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
JF - Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
IS - 1
ER -