Prevalence, severity, and modifiable predictors of scanxiety in patients undergoing routine oncologic imaging: a...

Anxiety related to oncologic imaging, "scanxiety," is common and may impair quality of life and adherence to surveillance. However, data on its prevalence, severity, temporal pattern, and modifiable predictors across routine imaging phases remain limited. Identifying modifiable predictors such as communication quality and wait times is essential for developing targeted interventions.

This prospective longitudinal study enrolled 406 adult cancer patients undergoing routine CT, MRI, or PET/CT at a tertiary center. Participants completed the HADS-A, STAI-State, and SAA-VAS at the pre-scan, during, and waiting phases, as well as FACT-G, IES-R, and a questionnaire assessing wait times, communication, information, and social support. Data were analyzed using chi-square, Pearson correlations, t-tests, logistic regression, and repeated-measures ANOVA.

Among 406 patients (mean age 58.4 ± 12.7 years, 57.6 % female), 71.2 % exhibited clinically significant scanxiety, with 60.1 % scoring HADS-A ≥ 8 and a mean SAA-VAS score at the result waiting phase (7.1 ± 2.3). Multivariate analysis identified scan-to-result wait time associated with increased odds (OR 1.19 per day; 95 % CI 1.08-1.31), advanced disease stage (OR 1.78; 95 % CI 1.08-2.93), and prior scans (OR 1.12 per scan; 95 % CI 1.02-1.23) as significant risk factors. Protective factors included procedural explanations (OR 0.46), staff friendliness (OR 0.82), information provision (OR 0.52), and social support (OR 0.57).

Scanxiety affected over 70 % of patients and escalated across imaging phases, peaking during result waiting. Modifiable factors offer intervention targets to mitigate distress and improve patient outcomes.