Symptom Attribution, Help Seeking and Willingness to Undergo Diagnostic Investigations for Bowel Cancer Symptoms in People With Anxiety and/or Depression—A Vignette Study.
Saved in:
| Title: | Symptom Attribution, Help Seeking and Willingness to Undergo Diagnostic Investigations for Bowel Cancer Symptoms in People With Anxiety and/or Depression—A Vignette Study. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Friedrich, Bettina (AUTHOR), Renzi, Cristina (AUTHOR), Mitchinson, Lucy (AUTHOR), Payne, Rupert A. (AUTHOR), Merriel, Samuel W. D. (AUTHOR), Lyratzopoulos, Georgios (AUTHOR), Abel, Gary (AUTHOR), von Wagner, Christian (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Psycho-Oncology. Apr2025, Vol. 34 Issue 4, p1-12. 12p. |
| Subjects: | Anxiety, Help-seeking behavior, Mental health, Diagnosis, Mental depression, Health behavior, Colon cancer, Symptoms |
| Abstract: | Background: Bowel cancer is a common cause of cancer deaths and survival increases dramatically with earlier diagnosis. People with mental health problems such as anxiety and/or depression (A/D) are less likely to engage in health behaviours important for early detection. Aims: We explored whether three processes crucial for early cancer diagnosis are different in the A/D group compared to controls: (1) 'attributions' that is, assumed causes of bodily changes typical for bowel cancer, (2) help seeking actions participants would be likely to take and (3) willingness to do a relevant test (stool test or sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy). Methods: In this randomised online vignette study, 1883 participants were presented one of four scenarios that each featured one bodily change typical of bowel cancer. Attributions were indicated using a free text response option. Help seeking options were presented in a list and likelihood of engaging in them was explored. Willingness to take a test was assessed using a question with response options 'yes', 'no' and 'unsure'. Results: Participants with A/D were more likely to attribute symptoms to their mental health than to cancer. Male participants with A/D were less likely to engage in several help‐seeking actions. Participants in the A/D group were less likely to be willing to undergo invasive diagnostic testing. Conclusions: People with A/D should be encouraged to take bodily changes typical of cancer seriously and be proactive in help seeking and taking tests. Clinicians need to be aware that people with A/D may misattribute bodily changes associated with cancer and support them to seek help and undergo testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Psycho-Oncology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Background: Bowel cancer is a common cause of cancer deaths and survival increases dramatically with earlier diagnosis. People with mental health problems such as anxiety and/or depression (A/D) are less likely to engage in health behaviours important for early detection. Aims: We explored whether three processes crucial for early cancer diagnosis are different in the A/D group compared to controls: (1) 'attributions' that is, assumed causes of bodily changes typical for bowel cancer, (2) help seeking actions participants would be likely to take and (3) willingness to do a relevant test (stool test or sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy). Methods: In this randomised online vignette study, 1883 participants were presented one of four scenarios that each featured one bodily change typical of bowel cancer. Attributions were indicated using a free text response option. Help seeking options were presented in a list and likelihood of engaging in them was explored. Willingness to take a test was assessed using a question with response options 'yes', 'no' and 'unsure'. Results: Participants with A/D were more likely to attribute symptoms to their mental health than to cancer. Male participants with A/D were less likely to engage in several help‐seeking actions. Participants in the A/D group were less likely to be willing to undergo invasive diagnostic testing. Conclusions: People with A/D should be encouraged to take bodily changes typical of cancer seriously and be proactive in help seeking and taking tests. Clinicians need to be aware that people with A/D may misattribute bodily changes associated with cancer and support them to seek help and undergo testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 10579249 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/pon.70151 |
