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The SomatoSensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) is a 10-item self-report instrument designed to assess the tendency to detect somatic and visceral sensations and experience them as unusually intense, toxic and alarming. This study examines the psychometric properties of a French version of the SSAS in a non-clinical population and, more specifically, explores its construct, convergent and discriminant validities. The SSAS was completed by 375 university students, together with measures of somatization propensity (SCL-90-R somatization subscale) and trait anxiety (STAI Y form). The results of principal component and confirmatory factor analyses suggest that the French version of the SSAS evaluates essentially a single, robust factor (Somatosensory amplification) and two kinds of somatic sensitivity (Exteroceptive sensitivity and Interoceptive sensitivity). Somatosensory amplification correlated with somatization tendency and anxiety propensity. These results encourage further investigations in French of the determinants and consequences of somatosensory amplification, and its use as a therapeutic strategy.

Background: Data regarding elderly patients with cancer, more particularly with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), are scarce, as is our knowledge concerning to comorbid depression in this population. The purpose of this work was to explore the frequency of major depressive disorder (MDD) and related factors in a group of elderly patients with these forms of cancer. Method: 42 elderly NHL patients aged 70 years and older were interviewed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview screening tool. Psychological variables such as coping strategies, cognitive status and quality of relationships, as well as clinical and socio-demographic data were collected. Results: Fourteen patients (33.3%) met criteria for current MDD of which five had melancholy features (35.7%). Elderly patients with comorbid NHL-MDD had a significantly poorer self-perceived global health and performance status than those without MDD, as well as more fatigue and history of depression. No other clinical, psychological or socio-demographic variable appeared associated with MDD in this sample. Conclusion: Further studies are needed in order to confirm these early results concerning a potential high frequency of MDD among elderly NHL patients. Depressive mood should be early recognized in order to provide appropriate treatments and avoid a detrimental effect of depression on cancer prognosis.

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The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the psychological barriers to and facilitators of undergoing the Hemoccult-II® colorectal cancer screening test in France. Sixty-nine French people aged 50 to 74 years were divided into seven qualitative focus groups. Three issues were discussed with participants: knowledge and beliefs about colorectal cancer screening; facilitators of colorectal cancer screening by Hemoccult-II®; barriers to colorectal cancer screening by Hemoccult-II®. All the discussions were led by two psychologists and were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative data analysis software. Correspondence factor analyses identified three dimensions for each topic. The main psychological facilitators of colorectal cancer screening were: information about colorectal cancer screening, perceived simplicity of using Hemoccult-II®, and perception of risk. Uncertainty about the reliability of Hemoccult-II®, health anxiety, and embarrassment emerged as the main barriers to colorectal cancer screening. Cross-sectional analyses identified the differences between the views expressed by women and men. Women appeared more embarrassed about Hemoccult-II® and men seemed to be more worried about colorectal cancer. This preliminary study suggests that psychological factors play an important role in colorectal cancer screening by Hemoccult-II®. This finding may help health organizations to conceive better awareness campaigns to promote colorectal cancer screening in order to reduce the related mortality rate by taking into account psychological determinants.