PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES AMONG PATIENTS WITH HEREDITARY CANCER AND THEIR FIRST-DEGREE RELATIVES VISITING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN INDIA

Author Name: 1. Ms. Alka Bohit 2. Mr. Vijay Kumar 3. Dr Prateek Tiwari

Volume/Issue: 02/12

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://www.doi-ds.org/doilink/06.2022-12155934/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Nursing Officer of Department of Nursing, Dr.BRAIRCH, AIIMS New Delhi, India
2. Nursing Officer of Department of Nursing, Dr.BRAIRCH, AIIMS New Delhi, India
3. Consultant of Department of Medical oncology, Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Bhopal, India

ABSTRACT

Cancer susceptibility is higher among those with a family history. Still, nationally, clinical genetic services and the psychological impact of suspected familial cancer on patients and relatives remains a budding field. It also remains unclear if genetic testing and counseling (GTC) can help in alleviating common psychological issues associated with cancer. This research effort analyzed the association between GTC and psychological issues including, anxiety, depression, and distress among patients with hereditary cancers and their first-degree relatives. This pilot effort enrolled 100 patients visiting the GTC center at All India Institute of Medical Sciences and their relatives. At baseline and post GTC, demographic information was obtained, and psychological issues of interest were assessed using validated questionnaires. Generalized estimating equations accounting for within-person clustering were used to analyze the association between GTC and the three psychological issues of interest. Of the total 96 of the patients were females, and 60% and 26% respectively had breast and ovarian cancer. Among patients, as compared to pre-GTC post-GTC, the cancer type and age adjusted odds of having anxiety, depression, and distress were lower. These estimates were significant for distress (OR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.68). Among relatives, although insignificant, GTC resulted in a 40% reduction in distress (0.60; 0.29, 1.24). Our results provide preliminary support to potential protective effect of GTC among cancer patients and their first-degree relatives for psychological distress related to the condition. A confirmatory future larger longitudinal study analyzing these association is recommended.

Key words: Hereditary Cancer, Psychological issues regarding cancer, Genetic Testing for patient relative.