Experiences with scans and scanxiety in people with advanced cancer: a qualitative study

Scan-associated anxiety ('scanxiety') in people with advanced cancer is a common clinical problem. This study aims to explore the experiences of scans and scanxiety in people with advanced cancer, including their strategies to reduce scanxiety.

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with people with advanced cancers who had a computed tomography scan for monitoring of their cancer. Data was analysed with an interpretivist approach using framework analysis.

Interviews with 16 participants identified three key themes: the scan experience, the scanxiety experience and coping with scans. Scans were viewed as a routine and normal part of cancer care. Scanxiety was experienced differently by each person. Scanxiety often related to the scan result rather than the scan and led to psycho-cognitive manifestations. Adaptive coping strategies were often self-derived.

People with advanced cancer experience scanxiety, but often accept scanxiety as a normal part of the cancer process. The findings fit within a transactional model of stress and coping, which influences the level of scanxiety for each individual. Quantitative research to determine the scope of scanxiety will be useful to develop formal approaches to reduce scanxiety.