Scan-associated distress in lung cancer: Quantifying the impact of "scanxiety". (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bauml, Joshua M.; Troxel, Andrea; Epperson, C. Neill; Cohen, Roger B.; Schmitz, Kathryn; Stricker, Carrie; Shulman, Lawrence N.; Bradbury, Angela; Mao, Jun J.; Langer, Corey J.
• Is Part Of: Lung cancer. Volume 100(2016)
• Page Start: 110
• Page End: 113
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Scan-associated distress -- Scanxiety -- Quality of life -- Lung cancer -- Cancer distress; Lungs -- Cancer -- Periodicals; Lung Neoplasms -- Abstracts; Lung Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Poumons -- Cancer -- Périodiques; Lungs -- Cancer; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 616.99424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2016.08.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-5002

Abstract

Highlights: Scan-associated distress is a common problem for patients with lung cancer. Scan-associated distress is associated with worse quality of life. No clinical or demographic features are associated with scan-associated distress. Abstract: Objectives: Diagnostic imaging may be a major source of cancer-related distress, a condition known as "scanxiety". Scant scholarly work has been performed to evaluate scan-associated distress in cancer. We sought to characterize risk factors for scan-associated distress among patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), and to evaluate the impact of scan-associated distress on quality of life. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey study of patients with recurrent/metastatic NSCLC treated at an academic medical center. Clinical and demographic variables were obtained through chart abstraction and patient self-report. We used a modified version of the Impact of Event Scale 6 (IES-6) to specifically assess distress associated with scans, and quality of life was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy − Lung (FACT-L). Results: Among 103 participants (survey response rate 76.3%), median age was 67, 61.2% were women, and 82.5% were white. At the study visit, 72.8% of subjects discussed a recent scan, and 83% reported some scan-associated distress. Scan-associated distress was not associated with whether the patient had a recent scan, progressive disease or time from diagnosis. Scan-associated distress was associated with impaired quality of life (p = 0.004); each unit increase in IES-6 corresponded to an approximately one-unit decrease in FACT-L score. Conclusion: Scan-associated distress is a common problem among patients with NSCLC, and is associated with impaired quality of life. Scan-associated distress severity was not associated with time since diagnosis or whether a recent scan was discussed at the study visit, which implies scan-associated distress may be a persistent problem.