Biopsychosocial needs of survivors of testicular cancer and evidence of validation of a brief scale

• Main Authors: Maria Fernanda Marcusso MANHÃES, Getulio Yuzo OKUMA, Renata Nunes PEDRAS, Edvane Birelo Lopes DE DOMENICO, Cristiane Decat BERGEROT
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas 2019-03-01
• Series: Estudos de Psicologia (Campinas)
• Subjects: Ansiedade; Depressão; Distress; Qualidade de vida; Neoplasias testiculares
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-166X2019000100904&lng=en&tlng=en

Abstract The favorable prognosis of testicular cancer does not minimize immediate and late biopsychosocial implications. This study sought to determine these needs, and to evaluate the evidence of validation of a brief and specific scale for this population. A sample of 29 survivors of testicular cancer (n = 29) was assessed for distress (Distress Thermometer), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), quality of life and cognitive impairment (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-General and Cognitive Function), and specific needs (Cancer Assessment for Young Adults-Testicular). It was observed a high prevalence of distress (41.4%), a low prevalence of anxiety (6.9%) and depression (6.9%), and a moderate impact on quality of life and cognition. Self-image and sexual function were the most preponderant problems. The evidence of validation of Cancer Assessment for Young Adults-Testicular12 was verified in the psychometric analysis. Notably, biopsychosocial needs identified on global scales, and particularly in Cancer Assessment for Young Adults-Testicular12, assisted in understanding these specificities and in therapeutic planning.