Article Text
Abstract
Introduction The psychological stresses before or during surveillance among inherited cancer syndrome carriers can influence the compliance to surveillance. This study was carried out to investigate the acceptability of different screening tests for gynaecological malignancies among Lynch syndrome carriers and the anxiety, depression and quality of life (QOL) status during the surveillance.
Methods This study was a questionnaire study conducted in a university-afflicted hospital. All Lynch syndrome carriers referred for gynaecological malignancy screening between January 2001 to March 2021 were invited. The validated Chinese version of Beck’s Depression Inventory (BD I-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) questionnaires were used prior to first and second consultation and after second consultation. Surveillance tests including blood for CA 125, endometrial sampling, transvaginal ultrasound were introduced during first consultation and the results of surveillance tests were explained during second consultation. Demographics data and follow-up data were retrieved.
Results Ninety women were enrolled in the study. Only 1.4-2.9% of women rated the gynaecological surveillance as fair to poor. Most women had minimal to mild level of anxiety/depression at baseline (89.4%, 90.6%), prior to disclosure of results of surveillance tests (81.5%, 84.6%) and after the explanation of results (83.3%, 87.7%). There were no significant changes in QOL status during surveillance in the eight domains of SF-36 questionnaire.
Conclusion/Implications Most Lynch syndrome carriers could accept gynaecological surveillance. Overall, gynaecologists should be sensitive about the emotional stresses among Lynch syndrome carriers especially prior to disclosure of surveillance results.