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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
150
Questionnaire that evaluates cultural identity, educational level and occupation of the subject and the subject's parents and spouse (if any)
Used to measure overall levels of functionality of an individual
Psychometric scale that is designed to assess optimistic self-beliefs to cope with a variety of difficult demands in life
To assess the perceived stress
It evaluates the subject's coping style through investigation of problem-solving abilities and emotional fluctuation, as a response to stressful situations
to explore the subject's social support system
University Hospital of Verona
Verona, VR, Italy
Barratt Simplified Measure of Social Status
Evaluation of cultural identity, educational level and occupation of the subject and the subject's parents and spouse (if any)
Time frame: Baseline
Barratt Simplified Measure of Social Status
Evaluation of cultural identity, educational level and occupation of the subject and the subject's parents and spouse (if any)
Time frame: 2-years
Global Assessment of Functioning scale
measure overall levels of functionality of an individual
Time frame: Baseline
Global Assessment of Functioning scale
measure overall levels of functionality of an individual
Time frame: 2-years
General Self-Efficacy Scale
Self-report scale correlated to emotion, optimism, work
Time frame: Baseline
General Self-Efficacy Scale
Self-report scale correlated to emotion, optimism, work
Time frame: 2-years
Perceived Stress Scale
Assessment of the perceived stress
Time frame: Baseline
Perceived Stress Scale
Assessment of the perceived stress
Time frame: 2-year
Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced
evaluation of the subject's coping style through investigation of problem-solving abilities and emotional fluctuation, as a response to stressful situations
Time frame: Baseline
Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced
evaluation of the subject's coping style through investigation of problem-solving abilities and emotional fluctuation, as a response to stressful situations
Time frame: 2-years
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support
to explore the subject's social support system
Time frame: Baseline
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support
to explore the subject's social support system
Time frame: 2-years
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