The impact of risk perception on emotional distress in individuals with a family history of cancer

Purpose: Understanding the factors impacting individuals’ emotional distress in the context of a family history of cancer is key in designing and implementing psychosocial interventions. Our study investigated the extent to which having a family history of cancer is associated with emotional distress and whether the perceived risk to develop colorectal cancer (CRC) plays any role in this equation. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 253 individuals from the general population who volunteered to take part in this study. We assessed their family history of cancer and perceived risk for developing CRC, and assessed the emotional distress. Findings: Individuals with a family history of cancer have higher levels of emotional distress compared to individuals without a family history, t(251)=-10.16, p<.001. Our data show that risk perception to develop CRC moderates the relationship between the family history of cancer and emotional distress (β=0.38, CI=(1.68, 5.92), r2=0.24, p<.001, d=0.25). Conclusion: This study was aimed at corroborating the role family history of cancer and risk perception have in explaining the emotional distress associated with cancer. Our results contribute to a clearer understanding of the impact family history of cancer has on emotional distress and show that risk perception is key in this relationship.