The Emotional Impact of Surveillance for Pancreatic Cancer

Surveillance Program in High-risk Individuals for Pancreatic Cancer: Prospective Analysis of the Emotional Impact

Due to its rarity a population screening program for pancreatic cancer is not possible. For this reason, considering background data on genetic predisposition and familiarity for this lethal tumor, efforts have been pushed to build up surveillance programs for subjects at high-risk of pancreatic cancer, due to familiarity and/or genetic predisposition. These programs are based on radiological examinations (such as MRI or endoultrasonography) and laboratory tests. However, little is known about the psychological burden of these programs. Only a handful of studies investigated, in various ways, how the participation in surveillance programs for pancreatic cancer may burden the psychological status, with a consequent possible impairment of the psychological wellbeing, and a higher risk of withdraw from the surveillance program itself. The aim of this study was to assess the psychological and emotional impact in high-risk individuals participating in a surveillance program for pancreatic cancer due to familiarity and/or to genetic predisposition, using specific psychological tools, such as multiple psychological questionnaires, investigating different functioning areas, administered by a clinical psychologist.

Questionnaire that evaluates cultural identity, educational level and occupation of the subject and the subject's parents and spouse (if any)

Psychometric scale that is designed to assess optimistic self-beliefs to cope with a variety of difficult demands in life

It evaluates the subject's coping style through investigation of problem-solving abilities and emotional fluctuation, as a response to stressful situations

Evaluation of cultural identity, educational level and occupation of the subject and the subject's parents and spouse (if any)

Evaluation of cultural identity, educational level and occupation of the subject and the subject's parents and spouse (if any)

evaluation of the subject's coping style through investigation of problem-solving abilities and emotional fluctuation, as a response to stressful situations

evaluation of the subject's coping style through investigation of problem-solving abilities and emotional fluctuation, as a response to stressful situations

Inclusion Criteria: Being enrolled in the Institutional surveillance program for pancreatic cancer Ability to understand the details and implications of a study protocol. Exclusion Criteria: None

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