title: The psychological impact of participating in colorectal cancer screening by faecal immuno-chemical testing--the Australian experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Occult blood-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening may result in adverse psychological outcomes for participants. The aims of this study were to measure the psychological consequences of participating in screening at key points along the screening and diagnostic pathway, and examine variation over time within or between test outcome groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 301 people (positives=165, negatives=136) aged 50-76 years were surveyed via validated psychological questionnaires after result notification, post colonoscopy (positives only) and 1 year following result notification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Negatives scored significantly higher in quality of life domains and lower state anxiety, anger and depression in comparison to positives both after result notification and at 1 year follow-up. Positives had significantly decreased state anxiety and depression at 1 year and improvement in HLoC power and reduced screening decision doubtfulness post colonoscopy. Positives experienced heightened CRC risk perception both after result notification and at 1 year follow-up in comparison to negatives, but reported less difficulty participating in ongoing screening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In positives, increased anxiety and doubtfulness about the decision to screen declined over time. Lower CRC risk perception in negatives indicates the need for education to promote CRC screening participation.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of South Australia, Room 44, Level 6, Centenary Building, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bobridge
authors.affiliation: Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bampton
authors.affiliation: Bowel Health Service Repatriation General Hospital, Daws Road, Daws Park, South Australia 5041, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.affiliation: Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001315:Australia; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology