Survey Finds 'Scanxiety' Is Common Challenge for Lung Cancer Patients


-- Getting regular scans and imaging tests is a normal – and often frequent – occurrence for people living with lung cancer. However, the normalcy does not necessarily mitigate the anxiety surrounding the experience, according to Lung Cancer In America 2018, a national survey by Health Union, LLC of people impacted by the condition, including patients and caregivers.
Living with lung cancer is accompanied by a considerable level of anxiety, with 86 percent of respondents reporting at least a little bit of anxiety on any given day. However, what is often referred to as "scanxiety" – the anxiety, fear and worry associated with scans, specifically before the results are revealed – can exacerbate those feelings. Of those who experience scanxiety, three-quarters reported either "more" or "a lot more" anxiety around the time of scans than at other times.
The frequency of follow-up scans can also cause the scanxiety opportunities to pile up, with almost three-quarters of respondents getting scans either every three to four months or more frequently. Making matters worse, 57 percent said they need to wait two or more days to receive the results of their scans.
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the second most common cancer for both men and women in the U.S., as well as the nation's leading cause of death from cancer. Grim statistics surrounding lung cancer have the potential to increase worry and scanxiety.
Additionally, many patients are diagnosed at later stages due to symptoms often being mistaken for other conditions. For example, according to Lung Cancer In America 2018 survey respondents, 58 percent of patients with non-small cell lung cancer were diagnosed at stage III or IV.

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