Perceived familial risk of cancer: Health concerns and psychosocial adjustment

This study explored the psychosocial morbidity and health concerns accompan ying individuals' perceived increased risk of cancer. Lazarus and Folkman's concept of stress and coping guided the study. In a Familial Cancer Progra m, 78 patients were divided into two groups: 39 with and 39 without a cance r diagnosis. Questionnaires completed in the clinic before a risk evaluatio n included Spielberger's Trait Anxiety Scale, the Medical Outcome Study Que stionnaire, the Bipolar Profile of Mood States (POMS-BI), and an investigat or-designed open-ended questions reviewed by a panel of experts. Data analy ses using descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon rank sum tests revealed diffe rences between qualitative and quantitative interpretations of risk: Patien ts' 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-speci fic question revealed an increased level of stress caused by the person's c ancer risk. Trait anxiety correlated significantly with most health and psy chosocial variables (r = -.22 to .67). Few differences between the two grou ps were found regarding health concerns and psychosocial variables. Patient s identified emotional and family concerns and their uncertain situation mo st often as being difficult in dealing with their risk, and they identified information, support, and screening most often as being helpful. The findi ngs provide guidance for addressing psychosocial morbidity in members of ca ncer-prone families.