Health behaviours and beliefs in individuals with familial pancreatic cancer

Meghan Underhill-Blazey,Fangxin Hong,Sapna Syngal,Janette Lawrence,Traci Blonquist,Matthew B Yurgelun

doi:10.1007/s10689-019-00143-7

Meghan Underhill-Blazey, Fangxin Hong + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10689-019-00143-7

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Abstract

Individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer are recommended surveillance and healthy lifestyle behaviours and patient experience with recommendations are understudied. To describe engagement and experience with surveillance, tobacco and alcohol use, health beliefs and motivation (Champion Health Belief Measure) and the relationship with personal, psychosocial (Impact of Event Scale), and familial characteristics. Interest in integrative therapies (complementary therapies) are described. A multi-site cross-sectional survey including individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer with no diagnosis of pancreatic cancer who have been evaluated at a comprehensive cancer center. Descriptive statistics and Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher’s exact test were used to assess univariate associations. Of the 132 respondents (72% response rate), 92 (70%) reported undergoing surveillance which was associated with older age (p = 0.001). Of which, 36% and 51% report that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), respectively, were uncomfortable; 22% and 30% dread the next MRI or EUS, respectively. Of those who reported alcohol consumption (n = 88); 15% consumed 1 or more drinks daily and no alcohol consumption was associated with higher Impact of Event scale scores (p = 0.024). A total of six participants were currently smoking every day or some days. Participants reported high motivation to engage in heathy behaviours and 92% were interested in integrative therapies. In these select participants, most were engaging in pancreatic cancer surveillance, alcohol intake was moderate, and tobacco intake was minimal. Modifiable factors, such as experience and comfort with surveillance could be addressed. The sample is motivated to engage in behavioural health intervention.

Highlights

Background/rationalePancreatic cancer is projected to increase from the fourth to the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030 [1]
Individuals are most commonly identified as having familial pancreatic cancer risk due to having two or more relatives affected with pancreatic cancer [2, 3]
The analysis presented here is part of a larger study aimed at describing relationships between personal and demographic factors and psychosocial and health behaviour outcomes in individuals with high pancreatic cancer risk

Summary

Introduction

Background/rationalePancreatic cancer is projected to increase from the fourth to the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths by 2030 [1]. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02215, USA earliest stage of pancreatic cancer, when surgical cure is most likely [2]. Individuals are most commonly identified as having familial pancreatic cancer risk due to having two or more relatives affected with pancreatic cancer [2, 3]. Those at highest risk, or those with a relative risk greater than fivefold and unaffected with cancer, are currently offered cancer surveillance with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) which requires sedation, and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) annually starting at age 50 or at 10 years prior to the earliest diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in the family [3]. If surveillance identifies a suspicious solid or cystic lesion or intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm

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