Death concerns among individuals newly diagnosed with lung cancer

Confronting the reality of death is an important challenge for individuals facing life-threatening illness such as lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death. Few studies, however, document the nature of death-related concerns in individuals newly diagnosed with lung cancer. The aims of this exploratory study were to examine unsolicited death-related concerns among newly diagnosed individuals, and to determine if age, gender, marital status, stage of disease, type of treatment, presence of comorbid conditions, and veteran status were related to extent of death concerns. A mixed-method approach was used to examine death concerns in 73 individuals newly diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. Seven categories related to death were identified: psychological preparation, time left, impact, behavioral preparation, acceptance, cancer death experiences, and post-death. Stage of disease and veteran status were factors that were related to increased numbers of death-related content. Findings demonstrate that death concerns are varied, primarily negative, and are relevant to the person facing a new lung cancer diagnosis, thus highlighting the importance for health care providers to assess, discuss, and listen for death concerns in the acute care setting.