A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Death Anxiety Among Iranian Patients With Cancer

Abstract

Death anxiety in cancer patients can cause and exacerbate mental disorders and affect the healing process and survival. In this study, percentage score of death anxiety among Iranian cancer patients was reported. The databases of Scopus, PubMed, ISI, MagIran, and Scientific Information Database were searched and 396 articles were retrieved. Twenty-three eligible studies were included in the analysis considering the inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity among selected studies was assessed through the Cochrane Q test and I2 test. The percentage of death anxiety scores in Iranian patients with cancer was 59.91% (95% confidence interval: 51.57–62.24). The results of subgroup analysis showed that the percentage of death anxiety scores in patients with breast cancer was 67.55% (95% CI: 56.50–78.60) and in patients with other malignancies was 53.78% (95% CI: 50.20–57.36). Death anxiety is high among Iranian patients with cancer and counseling sessions to control and manage this challenge seems necessary.

Correlation of death anxiety with coping strategies among Palestinian women with breast cancer: a cross-sectional study

“…In addition, 72.9% of patients with breast cancer reported high levels of death anxiety. According to Shakeri et al ( 3 ), 67.5% of patients with breast cancer experienced death anxiety =. Another study conducted in Iran by Masror Roudsary et al ( 9 ) revealed that 79% of patients with breast cancer experienced death anxiety.…”

“…According to the WHO, the global breast cancer incidence in 2022 was 2.3 million, with 670,000 deaths ( 1 ). Cancer typically elicits psychological reactions characterized by traumatic stress ( 2 ) and requires treatment with extreme caution due to the negative connotation associated with the term “cancer” ( 2 , 3 ). Patients who are diagnosed with cancer experience profoundly intense psychological reactions, including a sense of impending death.…”

“…Fear of death affects patients' prognoses, leading to treatment skepticism or discontinuation ( 11 ). Many studies have explored cancer patients and their families' fear of death ( 3 , 12 – 15 ). However, it is unclear what early-stage patients experience in terms of fear of death because most published research focuses on the terminally ill ( 16 ).…”

“…However, it is unclear what early-stage patients experience in terms of fear of death because most published research focuses on the terminally ill ( 16 ). Shakeri et al ( 3 ) found that death anxiety scores in patients with breast cancer was 67.5%. Women harbored apprehensions about mortality, exacerbation of their illness, loss of their future, and dependence on other people ( 3 ).…”

“…Shakeri et al ( 3 ) found that death anxiety scores in patients with breast cancer was 67.5%. Women harbored apprehensions about mortality, exacerbation of their illness, loss of their future, and dependence on other people ( 3 ).…”