Relationship between individual and family characteristics and psychosocial factors in persons with familial pancreatic cancer. Issue 7 (19th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Underhill, Meghan; Hong, Fangxin; Lawrence, Janette; Blonquist, Traci; Syngal, Sapna
• Is Part Of: Psycho-oncology. Volume 27:Issue 7(2018)
• Page Start: 1711
• Page End: 1718
• Publication Date: 2018-04-19
• Subjects: cancer -- oncology -- pancreatic cancer risk -- patient reported outcomes -- psychosocial; Cancer -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- psychology -- Periodicals; 616.9940019
• DOI: 10.1002/pon.4712
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1057-9249

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Describe relationships between self‐reported personal demographics or familial characteristics and psychosocial outcomes (Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Global Health, Impact of Event Scale‐Revised [pancreatic cancer risk–related distress], cancer risk perception, and cancer worry) in participants with inherited or familial pancreatic cancer risk. Methods: A multisite cross sectional survey of adults with elevated pancreatic cancer risk based on family history. All variables were summarized with descriptive statistics. To assess univariate associations, t test and chi‐square/Fisher's exact test were used, and backward model selection was used in multivariable analysis. Results: Respondents (N = 132) reported moderate to high frequency of cancer worry and 59.3% perceived a 50% or more perceived lifetime risk for pancreatic cancer, which far exceeds objective risk estimates. Cancer worry was associated with female gender ( P = .03) and pancreatic cancer risk specific distress ( P = .05). Higher‐risk perception was associated with having a high school education or less ( P = .001), higher distress ( P = .02), and cancer worry ( P = .008) and family cancer death experience ( P = .02). Higher distress was associated with experience as a caregiver to a seriously ill family member in the past 5 years ( P = .006). Conclusions: Individuals with inherited or familial pancreatic cancer risk experience cancer worry, distress, and have increased risk perception, particularly in the period following caring for a loved one with cancer. Routine evaluation of distress in this setting, as well as the development of supportive care resources, will help support patients living with risk for pancreatic cancer.