Undergoing a cancer genetic testing pathway and receiving results regarding a personal or familial cancer predisposition can generate substantial, multifaceted psycho-emotional distress for patients. While professional psychological support is strongly recommended in clinical guidelines, very few studies have formally quantified its actual contribution to the longitudinal psycho-emotional experiences of patients within real-world clinical practices. The primary objective of the PsyOncoGen study is to describe the longitudinal psycho-emotional trajectories of patients within the routine care pathway. It evaluates the clinical impact of psychological support by observing the natural outcomes of patients who choose to accept this systematically offered service versus those who choose to decline it. The study will follow 220 adult patients across two natural cohorts determined solely by patient choice: 110 patients utilising the clinical psychological support and 110 patients declining it.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
220
This includes structured clinical interviews with the unit's psychologist within 15 days following the initial consultation (T1), 15 days following result disclosure (T2), and 2.5 months post-disclosure. Patients can change their choice at any point if their support needs change.
To ensure equity of care, these patients maintain the right to request and access the psychological support program at any time during their pathway if their needs change.
Longitudinal study of Psycho-Emotional Distress Scores
Evaluated using the scores of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at each key milestone to compare longitudinal trajectories between patients receiving psychological support and those who do not. The HADS is a 14-item self-report questionnaire consisting of an Anxiety subscale (7 items, score range 0-21) and a Depression subscale (7 items, score range 0-21), yielding a total distress score range from 0 to 42. Higher scores indicate greater severity of psycho-emotional distress. Assessed at three key time points: initial consultation (T1), the genetic test result disclosure (T2), and at three months post-disclosure (T3).
Time frame: Up to 9 months
Evolution of Psycho-Emotional Distress Post-Disclosure.
Measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores to analyse the evolution of general distress. Data will be analysed based on the type of genetic result (pathogenic variant, variant of uncertain significance, negative result), the specific primary cancer site and patient demographics (age, sex, etc.). Measured from genetic test result disclosure (T2) to the three-month post-disclosure follow-up (T3).
Time frame: Up to 9 months
Specific Hereditary Cancer Psychosocial Concerns.
Measured using the French version of the Psychosocial Aspects of Hereditary Cancer questionnaire, to study specific psychosocial needs. For each of the 6 distinct dimensions, raw scores are summed and normalised to a 0-100 scale. A higher score represents increasing psychosocial difficulties and challenges within the specific dimension. Assessed at initial genetics consultation (T1), genetic test result disclosure (T2), and three-month post-disclosure (T3).
Time frame: Up to 9 months
Interrelations and variations of Emotional Distress and Psychosocial Concerns (HADS & PAHC-French).
Evaluated using the concurrent scores of both of the HADS and PAHC-French questionnaires to explore the relations between general emotional distress and specific psychosocial concerns in clinical cancer genetics. Assessed at initial genetics consultation (T1), genetic test result disclosure (T2), and three months post-disclosure (T3).
Time frame: Up to 9 months
Clinical Psychological Trajectories and Psychological Support Adherence
Based on the qualitative clinical assessment and follow-up notes compiled by the unit's clinical psychologist. This metric is used to describe the participant's real-world psychological pathways, specifically tracking and documenting any adjustments or changes in their use of psychological support throughout the care pathway. Documented within 15 days following T1, T2 and 2.5 months after T2, following each interview with the clinical psychologist.
Time frame: Up to 9 months
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