Evaluating the awareness, knowledge levels and psychopathology in relatives of colorectal cancer patients

The statement of the problem: The aim of this study was to determine the awareness and knowledge levels in the first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and to investigate their relationship with somatization, depression, and anxiety levels. Method: The study was carried out with the first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) of 52 adult patients, operated for CRC at Istanbul Bezmialem Foundation University, Department of General Surgery. All participants were applied a Socio-Demographic and Medical Information Form, the Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R), and the Health Anxiety Inventory (Short Version). Results: Twenty-seven (%52) of the participans were females and 25 (%48) were males, with a mean age of 37,52±11,74 years. The mean duration of disease was 14,37±13,19 months. The depression and anxiety scores, measured by SCL-90-R, and the health anxiety scores were significantly higher in those participants who were aware of their increased cancer risk. The SCL-90-R depression, anxiety, and Global Severity Index (GSI) scores as well as the health anxiety scores were significantly higher in those participants who accurately knew their patient's stage of cancer. No significant differences were observed between those participants, who were or were not involved in their patient's ostomy care, in their levels of the SCL-90-R depression, anxiety, somatization, GSI scores or the health anxiety scores. Similarly, no significant differences were observed between the participants who accompanied their patient to the chemotherapy or who did not, with respect to neither the SCL-90-R depression, anxiety, somatization, and GSI levels nor the health anxiety scores. Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that psychopathological symptoms increased when the awareness and knowledge levels increased in the first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients. From this point forward, it is suggested to take into account the relatives of patients and to provide psychological support to those in need. Keywords: Colorectal cancer, anxiety, depression, somatization, health anxiety.