The Psychological Impact of a Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis Following a Negative Fecal Occult Blood Test Result

Abstract

Background: Screening using fecal occult blood testing (FOBt) reduces colorectal cancer mortality, but the test has low sensitivity. A "missed" cancer may cause psychologic harms in the screened population that partially counteract the benefits of early detection.Methods: Three hundred and eleven people diagnosed with colorectal cancer (i) after a negative FOBt result (interval cancer), (ii) a positive result (screen-detected cancer), or (iii) in regions where screening was not offered, completed questions on quality of life (FACT-C), depression (CES-D), perceived diagnostic delay, and trust in the results of FOBt screening. Fifteen withheld consent to data matching with medical records, leaving a sample size of 296.Results: Controlling for demographic and clinical variables, patients with an interval cancer reported poorer quality of life

Perceived diagnostic delay and cancer-related distress: a cross-sectional study of patients with colorectal cancer

“…This study took place prior to the introduction of nationwide screening programmes for colorectal cancer in the UK. Screen‐detected disease is associated with lower perceived diagnostic delay , and as rates of screening uptake increase, perceived delay and any associated distress will reduce. However, groups less likely to accept the offer of screening, such as people with higher levels of deprivation and ethnic minorities , are more vulnerable to the development of cancer‐related stress as a result of their diagnostic pathway.…”

“…Patients had their CRC diagnosed at FOBt screening or outside of screening (either following a negative screening result or because they lived outside the areas of the Scottish Pilot). Differences in psychological outcomes in relation to diagnostic pathway have been reported elsewhere [25]. radiotherapy and chemotherapy) and time since diagnosis (in years) were supplied by NHS NSS with patient consent.…”

The contribution of a negative colorectal screening test result to symptom appraisal and help‐seeking behaviour among patients subsequently diagnosed with an interval colorectal cancer

“…Interval colorectal cancer has been shown to have an adverse effect on trust in FOBt screening, with the same study reporting poorer quality of life among interval cancer patients when compared to those with screen‐detected disease . Similarly, this has been demonstrated in mammography screening where a diagnosis of an interval breast cancer influenced patient's trust, although not to the point of creating distrust, where women instead saw themselves as exceptions in an otherwise beneficial screening programme .…”

Eficacia de las técnicas de relajación en la disminución de tensión, ansiedad y estrés percibidos por pacientes con cáncer bajo tratamiento de quimioterapia

“…Ante esta, los pacientes con CA pueden experimentar estrés, ansiedad, miedo, temor, enojo y frustración, entre otras reacciones emocionales; derivadas de una sensación de falta de control de la situación y ante una visón acentuada del CA como una enfermedad sinónimo de muerte 2,3 . Las reacciones emocionales pueden dificultar el proceso de adaptación al tratamiento 4,5 , y sin un tratamiento apropiado y oportuno, pueden culminar en cuadros de depresión, ansiedad, problemas de sueño, baja adherencia terapéutica y afectación de la calidad de vida 6,7 .…”