Event: XIII National Congress of the Research Group in Psychosomatics -RGP
                 13-14 Luglio 2023

Contribution: Preventive mind-body choices: a preliminary study in colorectal cancer screening

Authors: Maria Luisa Martino, Daniela Lemmo, Marcella Bianchi, Anna Rosa Donizzetti, Maria Francesca Freda, Daniela Caso

Abstract: Cancer screening programs make it possible to identify any risk of disease in asymptomatic subjects in order to offer more effective treatments. In an integrated mind-body conception, participation in screenings represents a scientific challenge centered on understanding the psychosomatic and emotional factors connected to active engagement in health choices. In recent years, the construct of body awareness seems to play an important role in self-care. Additionally, health anxiety and emotional regulation style influence health behaviors, use of health services, and decisions to engage in screening behaviors. This contribution aims to analyze the associations between the aforementioned clinical variables and some psychosocial variables relating to the relationship with colorectal cancer screenings, i.e. the affective and cognitive attitude towards them, the intention, the perception of screening. A convenience sample of 145 subjects aged between 50 and 74 participated in an online survey by completing a questionnaire created ad hoc. Descriptive statistics were calculated and correlation analyzes performed using SPSS software. The results show, on the one hand, positive correlations between body awareness, healthy habits, disease phobia and perception of behavioral control; on the other, positive correlations between reappraisal and the intention to undergo colorectal screening and cognitive attitude. A negative correlation between reappraisal and affective attitude emerged. These results, albeit still preliminary, suggest trajectories of possible connections between psychosomatic profiles in the relationship between subject and participation in cancer screening programs so as to think of personalized clinical interventions.