Emotional predictors of bowel screening: the avoidance-promoting role of fear, embarrassment, and disgust

Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards Colorectal Cancer in a Community in Mexico City: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Surveys

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and deadly neoplasms worldwide, with a growing burden in low- and middle-income countries, such as Mexico. This study seeks to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to CRC in a community in Mexico City. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and April 2023 among adults aged 45 to 74 residing in six neighborhoods of the Tlalpan borough in Mexico City. The questionnaire included sections on sociodemographic characteristics, medical family history, lifestyle habits, knowledge about CRC, attitudes towards prevention, and willingness to undergo screening. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models to identify factors associated with greater knowledge, attitudes, and practices. A total of 349 people were surveyed. A total of 35.2% reported knowing what CRC is, with greater knowledge of CRC being associated with higher education levels and having a family history of cancer. A total of 23.8% showed positive attitudes towards CRC screening, influenced by having a tertiary level of education. A total of 80.8% of participants expressed willingness to undergo CRC screening if offered, with lower intention observed among men. Levels of knowledge about CRC within the studied community are low, especially among those with lower education levels and without a family history of cancer. Intervention strategies should improve CRC education and foster positive attitudes towards early detection, particularly in high-risk groups.

Assessing Fear, Embarrassment, and Disgust in Colonoscopy: The Development of Measurement Instruments and Psychometric Evidence

BACKGROUND

Avoidance of colonoscopy is often associated with fear, embarrassment, and disgust aroused in screening procedures. However, each emotion can be linked to different challenges faced by patients. More research is needed to evaluate and address the causes of these respective emotions.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to develop and assess the scales of three negative emotions (i.e., fear, embarrassment, and disgust) caused by specific issues in colonoscopy screening.

METHOD

The measurement items were developed based on multiple common barriers in colonoscopy screening procedures. An online sample of 232 adults aged 45-75 was recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk to test the scales. Explorative and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to validate the measurement models.

RESULTS

Psychometric evidence demonstrated the factor structures of three negative emotions. Each emotional factor was caused by unique combinations of barriers in the preparation, screening, and recovery stages of colonoscopy. Most of the emotional factors were associated with attitudes and screening intention.

CONCLUSION

This study showed different dimensions of negative emotions and their underlying causes in colonoscopy. These findings will help assess specific causes of negative emotions in colonoscopy and develop effective interventions to improve screening uptake.

No more than "half prevention": A qualitative study on psychosocial determinants of Covid-19 vaccination acceptance

Vaccine hesitancy represents a major barrier to achieving Covid-19 vaccination coverage, including in Italy, where the vaccination rates suggest that Covid-19 vaccination has not been fully integrated into people's routine immunization schedules. While quantitative studies have generated ample data on factors influencing vaccination decisions, rarely was an overall picture of people's actual views and experiences with Covid-19 vaccines provided. To address this gap, this qualitative study aimed to explore, from a psychosocial perspective, the relationships between perceptions of Covid-19 vaccines, traditional vaccines, and general approaches to prevention. Following a Grounded Theory approach, we interviewed 25 Italian adults from different socioeconomic and working backgrounds. Findings revealed that, despite a generally positive attitude towards Covid-19 vaccines, they were often regarded as providing only partial protection-a "half prevention"-against the disease rather than a definitive preventive measure. In this sense, a gap emerged between the overall notion of prevention and the specific representations associated with Covid-19 vaccines. Therefore, to increase vaccination acceptance, interventions should prioritize the reduction of such a gap by promoting the idea that vaccination against Covid is, in all respects, a safe and effective preventive tool. This requires fostering a credible knowledge system and building trustful relationships among community members and stakeholders involved in the vaccination campaign, including general practitioners, healthcare professionals, and political authorities.

Feasibility and efficacy of a novel audiovisual tool to increase colorectal cancer screening among rural Appalachian Kentucky adults

Introduction

Residents of Appalachian regions in Kentucky experience increased colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality. While population-based screening methods, such as fecal immunochemical tests (FITs), can reduce many screening barriers, written instructions to complete FIT can be challenging for some individuals. We developed a novel audiovisual tool ("talking card") to educate and motivate accurate FIT completion and assessed its feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy.

Materials and methods

We collected data on the talking card via: (1) cross-sectional surveys exploring perceptions of images, messaging, and perceived utility; (2) follow-up focus groups centered on feasibility and acceptability; and (3) efficacy testing in community-based FIT distribution events, where we assessed FIT completion rate, number of positive vs. negative screens, demographic characteristics of participants, and primary drivers of FIT completion.

Results

Across the three study phases, 692 individuals participated. Survey respondents positively identified with the card's sounds and images, found it highly acceptable, and reported high-to-very high self-efficacy and response efficacy for completing FIT, with nearly half noting greater likelihood to complete screening after using the tool. Focus group participants confirmed the acceptability of the individuals featured on the card. Nearly 75% of participants provided a FIT accurately completed it, with most indicating the talking card, either alone or combined with another strategy, helped with completion.

Discussion

To reduce CRC screening disparities among Appalachian Kentuckians, population-based screening using contextually relevant implementation strategies must be used alongside clinic-based education. The talking card represents a novel and promising strategy to promote screening uptake in both clinical and community settings.

"That bastard chose me": the use of metaphor in women's cancer blogs

Metaphors play a significant role in how cancer is experienced and discussed. This study delves into the utilization of metaphors by women bloggers grappling with colorectal and gynecological cancers. By focusing on cancer types less represented in mainstream media, we aim to shed light on cancer cultures associated with body areas often considered taboo. Our findings reveal that widely recognized expressions and stories about cancer, such as the metaphors of battle and narratives promoting optimism and heroism in the face of illness, are deeply ingrained. However, a notable discovery is the prevalence of personification alongside these conventional expressions. Personifying cancer endows it with human characteristics, providing an outlet for bloggers to express their fear and frustration, including articulating feelings of sadness and anger, diverging from narratives centered on heroism and positive thinking. Furthermore, our analysis reveals a significant emphasis on death, underscoring that despite advancements in treatment, bloggers still perceive cancer as highly lethal. Personification can serve both detrimental and therapeutic purposes for bloggers and for societal perceptions of cancer survivorship, both reinforcing and opposing dominant Western discourses surrounding the illness. These findings enrich our understanding of cognitive and cultural tools used to describe cancer within contemporary Western society.

Didactic and narrative persuasion: An experiment to promote colorectal cancer screening

We tested whether a didactic and a narrative video (i.e. educational content and personal stories versus irrelevant information) could boost colorectal cancer (CRC) screening intention directly and through cognitive predictors of CRC screening behavior. We also tested whether exposure to a story changed participants' affective forecasting, reducing the perception of negative emotions associated with CRC screening (disgust, embarrassment, and fear). The study was conducted online with a between-participants design and recruiting a convenience sample (N = 375). We found that, compared with watching the control video, being exposed to the narrative video about CRC screening was indirectly associated with greater screening intention via vicarious experience and positive attitudes, whereas watching the didactic video was positively associated with CRC screening intention only among participants who had received an invitation letter but did not get screened, and among those yet to receive an invitation to screen. In the latter group, screening intention was boosted through positive attitudes. Our findings do not confirm that stories change affective forecasting, but narration likely fosters messages acceptance through vicarious experience. We also found support for the effectiveness of physicians' recommendations in promoting CRC screening, an intervention that might be effectively administered through a generalized, cost-effective video.

Screening, awareness and challenges for colorectal cancer treatment in Saudi Arabia: an update

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer in the world. In Saudi Arabia, CRC is the most common cancer in males and the third most common in females, and its incidence rate is rising as the country continues to develop. However, the country does not have a national CRC screening program for CRC. This review aims to review recent studies that have attempted to address and rectify this issue and discern the most notable and prevalent barriers. Despite these efforts, guidelines are still lacking. Two prospective studies have been conducted in recent years, one of which was a national pilot screening program conducted by the Ministry of Health (MOH). While both had a similar number of participants, the colonoscopy rate for patients with a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in the MOH program was only 20% compared to 75.8% in the Al-Kharj program. Awareness of the Saudi population regarding CRC and its screening appears to be insufficient. The most common barriers to patients' willingness to undergo screening were embarrassment, fear, and pain. Barriers to physicians are mostly related to factors outside their hands, such as lack of equipment and time. We conclude that efforts should be made to establish a national screening program and improve awareness of the population and physicians.

Facilitators and Barriers to Lung Cancer Screening during Long COVID: A Global Systematic Review and Meta-Study Synthesis of Qualitative Research

Background: Participation in targeted screening reduces lung cancer mortality by 30-60%, but screening is not universally available. Therefore, the study aimed to synthesize the evidence and identify facilitators and barriers to lung cancer screening participation globally. Methods: Two reviewers screened primary studies using qualitative methods published up to February 2023. We used two-phase synthesis consistent with a meta-study methodology to create an interpretation of lung cancer screening decisions grounded in primary studies, carried out a thematic analysis of group themes as specific facilitators and barriers, systematically compared investigations for similarities and differences, and performed meta-synthesis to generate an expanded theory of lung cancer screening participation. We used the Social Ecological Model to organize and interpret the themes: individual, interpersonal, social/cultural, and organizational/structural levels. Results: Fifty-two articles met the final inclusion criteria. Themes identified as facilitating lung cancer screening included prioritizing patient education, quality of communication, and quality of provider-initiated encounter/coordination of care (individual patient and provider level), quality of the patient-provider relationship (interpersonal group), perception of a life's value and purpose (cultural status), quality of tools designed, and care coordination (and organizational level). Themes coded as barriers included low awareness, fear of cancer diagnosis, low perceived benefit, high perceived risk of low-dose computerized tomography, concern about cancer itself, practical obstacle, futility, stigma, lack of family support, COVID-19 fear, disruptions in cancer care due to COVID-19, inadequate knowledge of care providers, shared decision, and inadequate time (individual level), patient misunderstanding, poor rapport, provider recommendation, lack of established relationship, and confusing decision aid tools (interpersonal group), distrust in the service, fatalistic beliefs, and perception of aging (cultural level), and lack of institutional policy, lack of care coordinators, inadequate infrastructure, absence of insurance coverage, and costs (and organizational status). Conclusions: This study identified critical barriers, facilitators, and implications to lung cancer screening participation. Therefore, we employed strategies for a new digital medicine (artificial intelligence) screening method to balance the cost-benefit, "workdays" lost in case of disease, and family hardship, which is essential to improve lung cancer screening uptake.

Facing the Emotional Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening. The Roles of Reappraisal and Situation Selection

BACKGROUND

Disgust, embarrassment, and fear can hinder the attendance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. However, individuals can respond to these emotions differently. The present study tested whether reappraising a negative stimulus versus avoiding a negative stimulus is associated with age; whether these two emotion regulation strategies (reappraisal and situation selection) moderate the effects of disgust, embarrassment and fear on CRC screening intention; and the efficacy of a message based on participants' preferred emotion regulation strategy.

METHODS

We recruited 483 Italian participants (aged 40-84 years) through snowball sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions differing for a message promoting CRC screening with an affective lever, a cognitive lever, both levers or none. Key variables included emotion regulation strategies, emotional barriers and intention to get screened.

RESULTS

The preference for reappraisal over situation selection increased with age. Reappraisal neutralized the effect of disgust on CRC screening intention. The combined message with both affective and cognitive levers increased CRC screening intention (b = 0.27, β = 0.11, SE = 0.13 p = .049), whereas reading the message based only on the affective (b = 0.16, β = 0.06, SE = 0.14 p = .258) or the cognitive (b = 0.22, β = 0.09, SE = 0.14 p = .107) lever was not effective.

CONCLUSIONS

Communication campaigns should support the activation of a reappraisal strategy of emotion control, and messages promoting CRC screening should highlight both the instrumental (i.e., early detection) and affective (i.e., peace of mind) benefits of attendance.

Perceived value threats are related to fear of health impairments

Health impairments are problems in the body and mental functioning, which can be a result of a disease or side effects of treatment. Fear of health impairments plays an important role in decision-making and behavior. People might fear health impairments because of their beliefs about their dangerousness, but also because these impairments threaten important values. However, while the role of cognitive appraisal in the fear of health impairments is investigated, the role of motivation is less clear. To fill this gap, this study analyzed the role of values as motivational constructs in the fear of cognitive, motor, and sensory impairments, as well as impairments of reproductive functions and disfiguring impairments. Participants evaluated these health impairments as frightening or not. They also evaluated how these health impairments may threaten values and reported their value priorities. Health impairments are believed to threaten personally focused values (openness to change and self-enhancement) more than socially focused values (conservation and self-transcendence). Threats to personally focused values are related to higher fear of health impairments.

Psychosocial Predictors of Colorectal Cancer Screening Intention: An Experiment on the Invitation Letter

BACKGROUND

In Italy, attendance rates for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening are suboptimal. The present work analysed cognitive and emotional predictors of CRC screening intention and tested an intervention on a real invitation letter to improve CRC screening intention, both directly and in interaction with the predictors of our model.

METHODS

Our model included variables from the theory of planned behaviour and the emotional barriers to bowel screening scale. We applied six changes to an invitation letter used in Italy to avoid the repetition of words like 'faeces', 'blood', or 'occult' and reduce the prompting of disgust. The 228 participants were randomly assigned to a between-participants design (original letter vs. manipulated letter).

RESULTS

Disgust hindered CRC screening intention, while embarrassment, fear, and subjective norms (i.e., perception of the social pressures to attend CRC screening) were not associated with intention to screen. More positive attitudes towards CRC screening were associated with a higher intention to screen. The positive association between perceived behavioural control and CRC screening intention was stronger for participants who read the letter with fewer (vs. more) references to bodily waste. Letter manipulation did not affect intention to screen.

CONCLUSIONS

The disgust associated with faecal matter is a critical factor in determining CRC screening attendance, and it should be acknowledged as such in public policies. Until new screening tests avoiding the activation of this emotional reaction are concretely available, public campaigns should improve CRC screening participation by boosting both positive attitudes towards screening and patients' perceived behavioural control.

Changes in uptake of stool-based colorectal cancer screening during the Covid-19 pandemic

PURPOSE

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is underutilized and endoscopic colon screening includes a number of barriers that were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. At-home stool-based screening (SBS) increased during the pandemic and potentially reached eligible adults hesitant to be screened by endoscopy. The purpose of this analysis was to examine the change in uptake of SBS during the pandemic among adults not screened within guidelines by endoscopy.

METHODS

We used data from the 2019 and 2021 National Health Interview Surveys to estimate uptake of SBS among adults aged 50-75 years, without a previous diagnosis of CRC and without guideline-concordant endoscopic screening. We also examined provider recommendations for screening tests. To examine if changes in uptake differed during the pandemic by demographic and health characteristics, we combined survey years and ran logistic regression models with an interaction term for each factor and survey year.

RESULTS

In our study population, SBS increased 74% overall from 2019 to 2021 (8.7% to 15.1%; p < 0.001), with the largest percent increase among those aged 50-52 years (3.5% to 9.9%; p < 0.001). Among those aged 50-52 years, the ratio of endoscopy to SBS changed from 83%/17% in 2019 to 55%/45% in 2021. Cologuard was the only screening test where recommendations by healthcare providers significantly increased from 2019 (10.6% to 16.1%; p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Use and recommendations for SBS increased substantially during the pandemic. Increased awareness among patients could potentially improve future CRC screening rates if uptake of SBS occurs among those unable or unwilling to be screened by endoscopy.

Decision-making on colorectal cancer screening in Curaçao - interviews with the target population

BACKGROUND

During the first year of the population based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program on Curaçao, about 20% of invitees participated. This study explored the target population's perceptions and awareness on CRC (screening), beliefs on the program provision, their preferences and information needs for informed decision-making.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews with 23 individuals, who were not yet invited for CRC screening, were recorded, transcribed, coded and analyzed.

RESULTS

CRC (screening) was discussed in the context of personal health, where own responsibility and food were important. Cancer was perceived as an unpredictable disease that causes suffering and leads to death and was also associated with fear. Despite being aware of the program, most respondents were not familiar with the screening procedure. Provision of the screening program was regarded positively and as an opportunity to contribute to health improvement. This seemed related to the expressed trust in the Caribbean Prevention Center (program organizer). Respondents preferred to make independent decisions about CRC screening participation. A personal approach, visual aids and media were the preferred sources of information.

CONCLUSION

The results of our interviews suggest that it may be beneficial to provide information on CRC screening in Curaçao within the context of personal health. While including sensitivity to fears and respect for the autonomy of the target population. Finally, electronic media maybe useful in supporting informed decision-making.

Patient Attitudes and Barriers to Endoscopy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

After COVID-19 restrictions on nonessential procedures were lifted and safety protocols established, utilization rates of endoscopic procedures remained reduced.

AIMS

This study assessed patient attitudes and barriers to scheduling endoscopy during the pandemic.

METHODS

A survey was administered to patients with ordered procedures at a hospital-based setting (7/21/2020-2/19/2021) collecting demographic data, body mass index, COVID-19 relevant comorbidities, level of procedural urgency (defined by recommended scheduling window), scheduling and attendance, concerns, and awareness of safety measures.

RESULTS

The average respondent was female (63.8%), age 57.6 ± 14, White (72.3%), married (76.7%), insured (99.3%), affluent English speakers (92.3%) and highly educated (at least college 90.2%). Most reported moderate to excellent COVID-19 knowledge (96.6%). Of 1039 procedures scheduled, emergent cases accounted for 5.1%, urgent 55.3% and elective 39.4%. Respondents identified appointment convenience (48.53%) as the most frequent factor impacting scheduling, also noting concern for results (28.4%). Age (p = .022), native language (p = .04), education (p = .007), self-reported COVID knowledge (p = .002), and a desire to be COVID tested pre-procedure (p = .023) were associated with arrival, more commonly in an ambulatory surgical center than hospital (p = .008). Diabetes mellitus (p = .004) and an immunocompromised state (p = .009) were adversely related to attendance. Attitudes towards safety protocols did not affect scheduling. Multivariate analysis demonstrated age, education and COVID knowledgeability were associated with procedure completion.

CONCLUSIONS

Safety protocols and urgency levels were not associated with procedure completion. Pre-pandemic barriers to endoscopy persisted as dominant factors amid pandemic concerns.

Breast cancer screening programmes and self-reported mammography use in European countries

Mammography screening has been shown to be able to reduce breast cancer mortality, leading most European countries to implement mammography-based screening programmes. In our study, we analysed key characteristics of breast cancer screening programmes and mammography use in European countries. Information on screening programmes were obtained from the 2017 European Union (EU) screening report, websites from governments and cancer registries, and through literature search in PubMed (studies published up to 20 June 2022). Data on self-reported mammography use in the past 2 years were obtained from Eurostat and had been derived from the European health interview survey (cross-sectional survey), conducted in the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Serbia, Turkey and the UK in 2013 to 2015 and 2018 to 2020. Data were analysed for each country according to their human development index (HDI). By 2022, all included countries besides Bulgaria and Greece had introduced an organised mammography-based screening programme; Romania and Turkey had only pilot programmes. Screening programmes differ substantially across countries, particularly in timing of implementation (e.g., in Sweden, the Netherlands before 1990; Belgium, France between 2000 and 2004; Denmark, Germany between 2005 and 2009; Austria, Slovakia after 2010). Self-reported mammography use also differed considerably across countries, and went along with HDI-from <36% in all countries with HDI <0.85 to >70% in most countries with HDI >0.90. The data call for efforts to improve mammography screening use across Europe, particularly in countries with lower development levels where breast cancer mortality rates are also among the highest in the region.

The role of disgust as an emotional barrier to colorectal cancer screening participation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Worldwide colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are suboptimal. This systematic review and meta-analysis examine the role of disgust in CRC screening avoidance.

DESIGN

A systematic literature search was conducted. In all, 46 studies were included in the review. Among these, 16 studies were compared with a meta-analytical approach in order to 1) estimate the effect size of state disgust on screening intention and attendance; 2) examine whether methodological characteristics moderate the effect of state disgust on screening behaviour; 3) estimate the effect sizes of trait disgust and type of exam kit on state disgust.

RESULTS

In the reviewed studies, state disgust was often associated with CRC screening and especially with CRC screening avoidance. The meta-analysis confirmed low-to-moderate negative effects of state disgust on screening intention and attendance. Population sampling strategy was the only significant moderator of the effect of state disgust on screening attendance, i.e. studies that used convenience (versus random/representative) samples found a significantly lower effect size. Trait disgust and type of exam kit exerted a large and a moderate-to-large positive effect, respectively, on state disgust.

CONCLUSIONS

Disgust can boost CRC screening avoidance. Further studies and interventions must be designed to help patients in overcoming this emotional barrier.

Understanding patient barriers and facilitators to uptake of lung screening using low dose computed tomography: a mixed methods scoping review of the current literature

BACKGROUND

Targeted lung cancer screening is effective in reducing mortality by upwards of twenty percent. However, screening is not universally available and uptake is variable and socially patterned. Understanding screening behaviour is integral to designing a service that serves its population and promotes equitable uptake. We sought to review the literature to identify barriers and facilitators to screening to inform the development of a pilot lung screening study in Scotland.

METHODS

We used Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review methodology and PRISMA-ScR framework to identify relevant literature to meet the study aims. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods primary studies published between January 2000 and May 2021 were identified and reviewed by two reviewers for inclusion, using a list of search terms developed by the study team and adapted for chosen databases.

RESULTS

Twenty-one articles met the final inclusion criteria. Articles were published between 2003 and 2021 and came from high income countries. Following data extraction and synthesis, findings were organised into four categories: Awareness of lung screening, Enthusiasm for lung screening, Barriers to lung screening, and Facilitators or ways of promoting uptake of lung screening. Awareness of lung screening was low while enthusiasm was high. Barriers to screening included fear of a cancer diagnosis, low perceived risk of lung cancer as well as practical barriers of cost, travel and time off work. Being health conscious, provider endorsement and seeking reassurance were all identified as facilitators of screening participation.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding patient reported barriers and facilitators to lung screening can help inform the implementation of future lung screening pilots and national lung screening programmes.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Aversion to Bowel Cancer Screening Scale

OBJECTIVE

Avoidance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is well documented with emotional barriers deterring screening intention and uptake. However, the assessment of such aversion is limited by the available instruments focusing on siloed emotions or screening procedures, limiting relevance to the complete process of decision-making in the CRC context.

METHODS

To address this gap, psychometric properties of the newly developed Aversion to Bowel Cancer Screening Scale (ABCSS) were assessed using data from 640 CRC screening eligible asymptomatic community members. Item review and piloting reduced 179 items to the initial 29-item scale. Using a holdout sample technique, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, reliability and validity checks were conducted.

RESULTS

A three-factor model (Fecal Occult Blood Test [FOBT] Aversion, Colonoscopy Aversion and Health Conscientiousness) with 21 items was identified. Analyses of the 21-item ABCSS indicated excellent reliabilities for the scale and subscales (α = .91 to .95). Correlations with relevant existing measures, intention and behaviour indicated good construct validity.

CONCLUSION

The ABCSS is a valid measure of aversion to CRC screening for asymptomatic community members facing the decision to undertake CRC screening. This instrument may provide a more comprehensive understanding of the decision-making process for CRC screening.

Online public interest in common malignancies and cancer screening during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency in the United States in March 2020. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services subsequently released recommendations that health-care facilities temporarily delay elective surgeries and non-essential medical procedures. Disruptions to medical care significantly impacted cancer patients, with cancer screenings halted and nonurgent cancer surgeries postponed as health-care facilities shifted resources toward the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it has been reported that cancer screening rates decreased dramatically in the United States in 2020, it is unclear whether this trend was driven by factors related to public interest in cancer and/or cancer screening as opposed to other factors such as clinical backlogs, pandemic-related policies, and/or resource limitations. The purpose of this study was to use the Google Trends tool to evaluate public interest in six common malignancies and four common cancer screening methods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

We used the Google Trends tool to quantify public interest in six different malignancies (Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer, Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, and Cervical Cancer) and four cancer screening methods (Pap Smear, Lung Cancer Screening, Mammogram, and Colonoscopy) in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Welch's t-tests were used to compare monthly search volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) to the 4 years before the pandemic (2016 - 2019) for all ten search terms included in our study. We used Benjamini-Hochberg to adjust raw p values to account for multiple statistical comparisons. The level of statistical significance was defined by choosing a false discovery rate of 0.05.

RESULTS

Our results indicate significantly reduced interest in all malignancies studied at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public interest in ['Breast Cancer'], ['Colon Cancer'], ['Lung Cancer'], ['Thyroid Cancer'], and ['Cervical Cancer'] significantly decreased in the months of March, April, May, and June 2020 when compared with public interest in 2016-2019. Public interest in cancer screening methods such as ['Pap Smear'], ['Lung Cancer Screening'], ['Mammogram'], and ['Colonoscopy'] significantly deceased in the months of April and May compared to 2016 - 2019 values. However, decreased public interest in cancer screening methods was temporary, with Google search volumes returning to pre-pandemic levels in June 2020 - December 2020.

CONCLUSION

There was significantly reduced public interest in both common malignancies and cancer screening methods at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. However, after an initial decline, public interest as indicated by Google search volumes quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels in the second half of the calendar year 2020. In addition, trends in public interest in cancer screening as indicated by Google search volumes aligned with cancer screening uptake rates in the United States during the study period. This finding suggests that Google Trends may serve as an effective tool in gauging the public's interest in cancer and/or cancer screenings in the United States, which makes it a valuable resource that can be used to inform decisions aimed at improving cancer screening rates in the future.

RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS

The Google Trends tool can be used to measure public interest in various malignancies and their associated screening methods. Google Trends data may be used to inform measures aimed at improving cancer screening uptake.

Emotional Barriers to Bowel Screening in Italy: Scale psychometric properties and effects on screening attendance

OBJECTIVE

To assess a three-factor version of the Emotional Barriers to Bowel Screening (EBBS) scale; analyze the scale's psychometric properties; and investigate the associations of fecal disgust, embarrassment, and fear with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening avoidance.

METHODS

Retrospective design: We asked participants to rate negative emotions associated with CRC screenings as well as whether they had ever attended a fecal occult blood test.

SAMPLE

268 Italian adults aged 45-74 years.

MEASURES

negative emotions, screening knowledge, CRC risk perception, demographic and background data, and hypothetical medical help-seeking.

ANALYSES

Confirmatory factor analyses, correlations, logistic regressions.

RESULTS

The EBBS scale is a multidimensional instrument and, at least where fecal tests are of interest, can be used without the insertion disgust subscale. The analyzed negative emotions were negatively correlated with screening attendance and positively correlated with intention to delay seeking medical help. However, logistic regression models showed that, of the three analyzed emotions, fear about outcome was the only significant predictor of screening behavior and delaying medical care.

CONCLUSIONS

Further studies can adopt the version of the EBBS scale that is most suitable for their research contexts. Interventions must be designed to reassure patients.

Justice beliefs buffer against perceived barriers to colorectal cancer screening among African Americans

OBJECTIVES

African Americans develop and die from colorectal cancer (CRC) more than any other racial group in the United States. Perceived barriers to screening (e.g. embarrassment and financial costs) likely exacerbate these disparities. Identifying psychological factors that can reduce the impact of perceived barriers and encourage CRC screening is therefore critical. This study explored whether believing the world is fairer for oneself than in general (personal justice ascendancy) would moderate the impact that perceived barriers have on receptivity to CRC screening.

METHOD

Four-hundred fifty-seven screening eligible African Americans completed measures of beliefs about justice for self and others, as well as perceived barriers to CRC screening. Participants also completed theory of planned behaviour (TPB) measures of screening receptivity (attitudes, norms, perceived behavioural control and intentions).

RESULTS

Perceived barriers and justice beliefs interacted to predict perceived behavioural control over screening. Perceived barriers were associated with less perceived behavioural control only when personal justice beliefs were low. In turn, perceived behavioural control predicted stronger intentions to obtain CRC screening.

CONCLUSIONS

Interactive effects with perceived barriers highlight that strong personal justice beliefs play an important role in CRC screening and could aid in addressing CRC screening disparities among African Americans.

Genitalia-related nursing embarrassment and its associated factors among female nurses in mainland China: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Background

Genital-related care is a common nursing procedure and may cause embarrassment for nurses. However, nurses’ level of embarrassment and the factors associated with embarrassment have been scarcely studied. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate genitalia-related care’s embarrassment and its associated factors among Chinese female nurses.

Methods

Online questionnaires regarding the frequency of genitalia-related care and the embarrassment level were distributed to female nurses from the gynecology and urology departments between October and December 2019. Participants also completed the Chinese version of the professional identity scale for nurses and the Jefferson scale of empathy. Mantel-Haenszel chi-square and ordinal logistic regression were used to explore factors associated with the level of embarrassment.

Results

In total, 648 female nurses from 54 hospitals in 31 cities in China were recruited. Among these respondents, approximately 67% provided genitalia-related care at least three days per week, and about 70% of nurses felt slightly embarrassed to extremely embarrassed when providing genitalia-related care. Compared to nurses from gynecology departments, nurses from urology departments felt more embarrassed during genitalia-related care (P<0.001). Ordinal regression analysis showed that the odds of nurses from gynecology and urology departments with total empathy scores greater than 100 experiencing higher levels of embarrassment than nurses with total empathy scores less than 100 were 0.47 and 0.45, respectively. Nurses from gynecology departments with higher professional identity scores, higher education levels, more frequent genital-related care experienced less embarrassment, while nurses from the urology department with prior sexual experience experienced less embarrassment.

Conclusions

Feeling embarrassed during genitalia-related nursing was common among Chinese female nurses, especially those from urology departments. Embarrassment during genitalia-related nursing was related to professional identity, empathy, educational level, genitalia-related care frequency, and sexual history. These findings highlight the importance of professional identity, empathy, and education among nurses.

Endosialin (TEM1) as a Diagnostic, Progression, and Prognostic Serum Marker for Patients With Colorectal Cancer-A Preliminary Study

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide usually diagnosed in the advanced stage. In this study, the serum concentration of tumor endothelial marker 1 (TEM1) was measured and correlated with clinicopathological features to evaluate whether TEM1 might serve as a biomarker for early CRC diagnosis, progression, and prognosis. The concentration of TEM1 was measured in the serum samples of 45 patients with CRC and 35 healthy individuals using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. The mean serum concentration of TEM1 was significantly higher in the patients with CRC compared to the healthy individuals (1.31 ± 0.16 vs 0.92 ± 0.90 ng/mL; P < .001). The mean concentration of TEM1 significantly increased in the patients having CRC with early stage (stage I + II) compared to noncancer control individuals (stage I + II vs control 1.21 ± 0.13 ng/mL: 0.92 ± 0.90 ng/mL; P < .001). The TEM1 concentration in blood serum also showed a significant association with the development of T stages (P < .001), N stages (P < .001), and M stages (P = .006). The TEM1 sensitivity and specificity in CRC detection are higher than routinely used blood markers (carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] and carbohydrate antigen [Ca 19-9]). Patients with high TEM1 concentration (≥1.055 ng/mL) had a worse overall survival rate compared to the patients having CRC with low TEM1 concentration (<1.055 ng/mL). In conclusion, TEM1 can act as a potential diagnostic, progression, and prognostic serum biomarker for patients with CRC; TEM1 might be a good supplement for commonly used markers CEA and Ca 19-9.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the colostomy disgust scale in patients with colostomy

OBJECTIVE

To establish and validate the Colostomy Disgust Scale (CDS) for assessing disgust in colostomy patients.

DESIGN

Triphasic, cross-sectional psychometric study.

SETTING

A total of 423 patients with colostomy (222 first samples and 201 s samples) were recruited from a tertiary hospital between January 2015 and April 2016.

METHODS

Three phases were undertaken: (a) item generation, (b) item selection and (c) evaluation and validation. The evaluation and validation of the CDS were performed through feasibility and initial item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency.

RESULTS

Following item generation and item selection, a 22-item CDS was generated. Principal axis factoring indicated a two-factor solution for the proposed CDS model, which was also verified by confirmatory factor analysis. Moreover, the proposed CDS had a high internal consistency.

CONCLUSION

The CDS is a self-report instrument with initial evidence for its validity and reliability. It is a promising tool to identify the triggers of disgust in colostomy contexts, which can be of great importance for promoting the mental health of colostomy patients.

The “Ick” Factor: An Unrecognized Affective Predictor of Physical Symptoms During Chemotherapy

Background

Patients undergoing chemotherapy experience a range of aversive symptoms. These symptoms vary across individuals and at least some of this variation can be predicted by psychological factors, such as distress. However, while psychological distress predicts some of the symptoms, it is limited in important ways.

Purpose

To (a) assess the viability of disgust—a discrete emotion that specifically evolved for health-related reasons—as a predictor of chemotherapy-related symptoms (particularly, taste- and smell-related changes) and (b) compare the predictive utility of disgust sensitivity and propensity against the most commonly used affective predictor, that is, psychological distress.

Methods

Patients with cancer (N = 63) about to initiate chemotherapy were recruited in a prospective observational study. Psychosocial predictor variables were assessed at baseline, and outcomes (i.e., physical symptoms, body mass index [BMI], and food-based sensory-processing changes) were assessed at both baseline and 6 week follow-up.

Results

Psychological distress did not predict any of the outcomes. Both disgust sensitivity (β = .53, p = .003) and propensity (β = −.56, p = .002) predicted greater food-based sensory-processing changes, while disgust sensitivity marginally predicted greater chemotherapy-related physical symptoms (β = .34, p = .060); neither of these two forms of disgust predicted BMI.

Conclusions

The study provides first evidence showing (a) associations between trait disgust and food sensory-processing changes that arise during chemotherapy and (b) disgust as being a more useful predictor of food- and digestion-related symptoms than psychological distress. In doing so, it opens new doors for better care to be provided to patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Is it disgusting or am I just easily disgusted? The relation between situational disgust, dispositional disgust, and colonoscopy intentions

OBJECTIVE

While early detection is an effective way to reduce mortality from colorectal cancer, screening rates are low. An underlying factor in screening completion failure may be experiences of disgust when learning about screening and/or dispositional disgust.

METHOD

Participants recruited via Amazon MTurk (N = 296) read information about colonoscopy and completed an online survey assessing both dispositional forms of disgust (i.e. trait disgust and disgust sensitivity) and situational forms, including state disgust and disgust associated with colonoscopy. Participants reported intentions to discuss colonoscopy with a provider and to prepare for and complete screening.

RESULTS

Greater state disgust and the degree to which one associated disgust with colonoscopy predicted lower screening, preparation and provider discussion intentions. By contrast, neither trait disgust nor disgust sensitivity was associated with intentions. Both disgust sensitivity and trait disgust moderated the state disgust to intentions relation.

CONCLUSIONS

This is one of few investigations of disgust examining the relation between specific types and colonoscopy intentions. Screening uptake may be improved by identifying specific components of disgust that have an effect on colonoscopy intentions. Future work focusing on the interplay between different disgust mechanisms as they relate to colonoscopy behaviour is important for intervention development.

Hierarchy of the main factors predicting the decision to go to the doctor in a general population sample: A factorial survey design

OBJECTIVE

To obtain a hierarchy of the main factors that predict the decision to go to the doctor when symptoms are not yet linked to a specific disease.

METHOD

64 representative vignettes, combinations of nine factors, were presented to 168 adults between 28-60 years of age.

RESULTS

Multilevel multiple regression models were used to rank the main factors predicting urgency to see a doctor in order of importance: the interference of symptoms in daily activities (B = -1.29; p < .001), fear (B = -0.96; p < .001), pain (B = -0.90; p < .001), access to medical care (B = -0.64; p < .001) and confidence in the doctor (B = -0.27; <.05). Moreover, gender (B = 0.56; p < .05) and educational level (B =-0.31; p < .05) explained part of the interindividual variation in the daily symptoms' interference.

CONCLUSION

When a specific disease has not yet been diagnosed, daily symptoms' interference is the factor that most strongly increases the urgency to visit a doctor, especially among men and among people with a higher level of education.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

To reduce delay, generic health prevention campaigns should place more emphasis on possible interference in daily activities than on the meaning of symptoms for health.

A Call to Arms: Emergency Hand and Upper-Extremity Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose

Limited data exist regarding volumetric trends and management of upper-extremity emergencies during periods of social restriction and duress, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. We sought to study the effect of shelter-in-place orders on emergent operative upper-extremity surgery.

Methods

All patients undergoing emergent and time-sensitive operations to the finger(s), hand, wrist, and forearm were tracked over an equal number of days before and after shelter-in-place orders at 2 geographically distinct Level I trauma centers. Surgical volume and resources, patient demographics, and injury patterns were compared before and after official shelter-in-place orders.

Results

A total of 58 patients underwent time-sensitive or emergent operations. Mean patient age was 42 years; mean injury severity score was 9 and median American Society of Anesthesiologist score was 2. There was a 40% increase in volume after shelter-in-place orders, averaging 1.4 cases/d. Indications for surgery included high-energy closed fracture (60%), traumatic nerve injury (19%), severe soft tissue infection (15%), and revascularization of the arm, hand, or digit(s) (15%). High-risk behavior, defined as lawlessness, assault, and high-speed auto accidents, was associated with a significantly greater proportion of operations after shelter-in-place orders (40% vs 12.5%; P < .05). Each institution dedicated an average of 3 inpatient beds and one intensive care unit-capable bed to upper-extremity care daily. Resources used included an average of 115 minutes of daily operating room time and 8 operating room staff or personnel per case.

Conclusions

Hand and upper-extremity operative volume increased after shelter-in-place orders at 2 major Level I trauma centers across the country, demanding considerable hospital resources. The rise in volume was associated with an increase in high-risk behavior.

Type of study/level of evidence

Therapeutic IV.

Biomarker measurement in non-invasively sampled colorectal mucus as a novel approach to colorectal cancer detection: screening and triage implications

Background

Faecal tests are widely applied for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and considered for triaging symptomatic patients with suspected CRC. However, faecal tests can be inconvenient, complex and expensive. Colorectal mucus (CM) sampled using our new patient-friendly non-invasive technique is rich in CRC biomarkers. This study aimed to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of CRC detection by measuring protein biomarkers in CM.

Methods

Colorectal mucus samples were provided by 35 healthy controls, 62 CRC-free symptomatic patients and 40 CRC patients. Biomarkers were quantified by ELISA. Diagnostic performances of haemoglobin, C-reactive protein, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1, M2-pyruvate kinase, matrix metalloproteinase-9, peptidyl arginine deiminase-4, epidermal growth factor receptor, calprotectin and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin were assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Colorectal mucus haemoglobin was superior compared to other biomarkers. For haemoglobin, the areas under the curve for discriminating between CRC and healthy groups (‘screening’) and between CRC and symptomatic patients (‘triage’) were 0.921 and 0.854 respectively. The sensitivity of 80.0% and specificities of 94.3% and 85.5% for the two settings respectively were obtained.

Conclusions

Haemoglobin quantification in CM reliably detects CRC. This patient-friendly approach presents an attractive alternative to faecal immunochemical test; however, the two methods need to be directly compared in larger studies.

Biomarkers for detecting colorectal cancer non-invasively: DNA, RNA or proteins?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global problem affecting millions of people worldwide. This disease is unique because of its slow progress that makes it preventable and often curable. CRC symptoms usually emerge only at advanced stages of the disease, consequently its early detection can be achieved only through active population screening, which markedly reduces mortality due to this cancer. CRC screening tests that employ non-invasively detectable biomarkers are currently being actively developed and, in most cases, samples of either stool or blood are used. However, alternative biological substances that can be collected non-invasively (colorectal mucus, urine, saliva, exhaled air) have now emerged as new sources of diagnostic biomarkers. The main categories of currently explored CRC biomarkers are: (1) Proteins (comprising widely used haemoglobin); (2) DNA (including mutations and methylation markers); (3) RNA (in particular microRNAs); (4) Low molecular weight metabolites (comprising volatile organic compounds) detectable by metabolomic techniques; and (5) Shifts in gut microbiome composition. Numerous tests for early CRC detection employing such non-invasive biomarkers have been proposed and clinically studied. While some of these studies generated promising early results, very few of the proposed tests have been transformed into clinically validated diagnostic/screening techniques. Such DNA-based tests as Food and Drug Administration-approved multitarget stool test (marketed as Cologuard®) or blood test for methylated septin 9 (marketed as Epi proColon® 2.0 CE) show good diagnostic performance but remain too expensive and technically complex to become effective CRC screening tools. It can be concluded that, despite its deficiencies, the protein (haemoglobin) detection-based faecal immunochemical test (FIT) today presents the most cost-effective option for non-invasive CRC screening. The combination of non-invasive FIT and confirmatory invasive colonoscopy is the current strategy of choice for CRC screening. However, continuing intense research in the area promises the emergence of new superior non-invasive CRC screening tests that will allow the development of improved disease prevention strategies.

Colorectal cancer detection by biomarker quantification in noninvasively collected colorectal mucus: preliminary comparison of 24 protein biomarkers

OBJECTIVES

Noninvasive colorectal cancer detection and screening remain global diagnostic challenges because the existing stool tests either lack sensitivity or are complex and expensive. Moreover, colorectal cancer screening uptake is low due to stool sampling inconvenience. We have developed a simple and patient-friendly noninvasive technique for collecting highly informative colorectal mucus. In this study, we aimed to comparatively assess a range of candidate biomarkers in colorectal mucus samples for colorectal cancer detection.

METHODS

The study included 17 patients with colorectal cancer and 35 healthy controls, who provided noninvasively collected colorectal mucus samples. Protein biomarker quantification in these samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays allowed comparing diagnostic performances of 24 candidate biomarkers that comprised haemoglobin, D-dimer, M2-pyruvate kinase, carcinoembryonic antigen, C-reactive protein, calprotectin, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, protein S100A12, tumour necrosis factor α, clusterin, soluble cytokeratin 18, caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18, citrullinated histone H3, peptidyl arginine deiminase 4, epidermal growth factor, epidermal growth factor receptor, matrix metalloproteinase 9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, periostin, vascular endothelial growth factor A, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and mucin 2. Tested biomarkers were ranked for colorectal cancer detection efficiency using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

High area under the curve values between 0.943 and 0.768 were observed for haemoglobin, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, M2-pyruvate kinase, peptidyl arginine deiminase 4, C-reactive protein, matrix metalloproteinase 9, epidermal growth factor receptor, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin and calprotectin.

CONCLUSION

Quantification of protein biomarkers in noninvasively collected samples of colorectal mucus certainly allows detecting colorectal cancer. Further clinical evaluation of the optimal biomarkers identified by this study is needed.