Half of cancer patients ignorant about imaging, and it’s causing them depression, anxiety and stress
Nearly half of cancer patients are uninformed about medical imaging and interventional procedures, and it’s likely leading to depression, anxiety and stress, according to new research.
These services are crucial to an individual’s cancer care journey, but they can often cause distress due to their unfamiliarity, confinement and isolation from family. Such “scanxiety” also can have a detrimental effect on exam quality, delay care and necessitate additional imaging, experts wrote Wednesday in the Journal of Radiology Nursing.
Researchers recently explored the prevalence of this concern, surveying 120 cancer patients undergoing imaging at a tertiary care hospital located in Northern India. They unearthed a “significant” relationship between medical imaging and psychological well-being.
“The findings of our study highlight the critical need for healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive information about radiological imaging procedures to patients with cancer,” Poonam Joshi, PhD, with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences’ College of Nursing, and co-authors advised. “Enhancing patient knowledge can reduce depression, anxiety, and stress, thereby improving the overall patient experience and satisfaction.”
Joshin and colleagues administered the survey between July and December of 2021, utilizing the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale to gauge cancer patients’ well-being. Study subjects were over the age of 18, had an indication for undergoing imaging (CT, PET, PET-CT or MRI), and were at varying stages of cancer treatment. About 49% said they had poor knowledge about imaging exams and interventional procedures. Meanwhile, about 10% exhibited stress, 30% reported depression and over 40% experienced anxiety.
The authors noted a negative correlation between knowledge and these three concerns, with greater imaging awareness helping to reduce such tension. Lower socioeconomic status and claustrophobia also were associated with higher anxiety while receiving prior information about imaging helped to reduce it. Joshin et al. believe their survey underlines the importance of offering psychological support, especially to those facing high levels of distress.
“Integrating psychological care into cancer treatment plans, including interventions such as counseling, reassurance, and emotional support before imaging, can significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life,” they advised. “Simple measures, such as relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, or calming music during imaging, could further alleviate distress. A holistic, multidisciplinary approach involving oncologists, radiologists, psychologists, nurses, and mental health professionals is vital to ensure that patients receive both medical and emotional support throughout their imaging procedures.”
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.