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. 2022 Mar;31(2):e13564.
doi: 10.1111/ecc.13564. Epub 2022 Feb 21.

Not as simple as "fear of the unknown": A qualitative study exploring anxiety in the radiotherapy department

Eliza Gimson  1 , Maria Greca Dottori  2 , Gemma Clunie  3 , Caroline Yan Zheng  4 , Theresa Wiseman  5 , Elizabeth Joyce  6 , Alison McGregor  7 , Helen McNair  8
Affiliations

Not as simple as "fear of the unknown": A qualitative study exploring anxiety in the radiotherapy department

Eliza Gimson et al. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: Little is understood about the anxiety experienced by cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy or investigative imaging. Our aim was to identify sources of anxiety, the points along the cancer journey where anxiety occurred and methods to alleviate it.

Methods: Six focus groups were conducted with cancer patients (n = 17), caregivers (n = 3) and healthcare practitioners (HCPs; n = 10) in the radiotherapy department. Patients described specific elements in the care pathway which induced anxiety, while HCPs focused on their perception of the patient experience. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data.

Results: Three broad themes emerged: The Environment, The Individual and The Unknown. The physical environment of the hospital, inside the scanner for example, emerged as a key source of anxiety. The impact of cancer on patients' individual lives was significant, with many feeling isolated. The majority of participants described anxiety associated with the unknown. HCPs reported difficulty in identifying the anxious patient.

Conclusions: Anxiety is experienced throughout the cancer pathway. Common sources include the physical environment and the uncertainty associated with having cancer. Identifying both anxiety-inducing factors, and the anxious patients themselves, is crucial to enable targeted interventions to alleviate anxiety.

Keywords: anxiety; cancer; healthcare; qualitative; radiotherapy; unknown.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Summary of how key themes and subthemes overlap and converge to influence cancer‐related anxiety
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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