Deciding on a medical test can be stressful, especially when there is uncertainty about what the results might mean. For older adults facing colorectal cancer screening, this feeling of uncertainty can change how they view the benefits and risks of getting tested.
A study of 448 older adults looked at how people handle two types of uncertainty: ambiguity (not knowing what will happen) and complexity (dealing with many moving parts). The researchers found that people who were more comfortable with these types of uncertainty felt more confident in the benefits of screening. They also had fewer concerns about potential harms from the procedure.
While being comfortable with uncertainty helped patients feel better about the benefits and risks, it did not actually change their final intention to get screened. Because this was a secondary analysis of an existing trial, we know these results show a link rather than a direct cause. Doctors can use these findings to help tailor how they talk to patients about the complexities of cancer screening.
