Survivorship in Lynch Syndrome Families

Overview

Objectives: Specific Aims: 1. Researchers will evaluate and compare predictors of health-related quality of life (QOL) among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors who have Lynch syndrome (LS) with those patients who have sporadic CRC using both quantitative and qualitative methodology. a. In both CRC groups, researchers will evaluate cancer preventive and health behaviors, including lifestyle factors and screening, psychosocial factors, including mood, family functioning, coping style, anxiety, depression, and social resources, and health care system factors, including interactions with health care providers and service utilization. 2. Researchers will compare the experience of first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients who have LS with that of FDRs of patients who have sporadic CRC using both quantitative and qualitative methodology. a. Researchers will evaluate all of the domains listed above, as well as anticipatory grief, assessment of caregiving responsibilities, and fear of cancer in FDRs of patients with LS-related and sporadic CRC. 3. Researchers will examine CRC patients from both groups and their FDRs using dyadic analyses in order to evaluate the similarities and differences in their survivorship experience. 4. Researchers will evaluate the preventive and health behavior of patients who are non-conclusive for Lynch syndrome and their family members. They will examine their screening behavior and will explore how the interaction between the patients and their relatives affects the relatives' screening behavior. They also will examine how these non conclusive LS patients and their family members perceive their risk for LS-related cancers.

Data will be collected primarily using a mailed self-administered questionnaire. A subset of the participants who complete the mailed questionnaire will be recontacted and invited to participate in an in-depth, semi-structured telephone interview. Qualitative Mailed Questionnaires: Participants will complete a questionnaire that contains questions about your experiences living with colorectal cancer. The questionnaire should take 45-60 minutes to complete. Up to 200 colorectal cancer survivors and up to 200 close relatives of colorectal cancer survivors will take part in this portion of the study. Telephone Interviews: In the phone interview, you will be asked some questions about your experiences living with colorectal cancer. The phone interview should take 30-45 minutes to complete. Up to 30 colorectal cancer survivors and up to 30 close relatives of colorectal cancer survivors will take part in this portion of the study.