The role of emotions in time to presentation for symptoms suggestive of cancer: a systematic literature review of quantitative studies

Balasooriya-Smeekens, Chantal; Walter, Fiona M; Scott, Suzanne E.

doi:10.1002/pon.3833

Cited by 43 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…Another item mentioned feeling uncomfortable thinking about cancer, and that was associated with lower attendance; the worry item was interpreted as more ‘cognitive’ and the ‘uncomfortable’ item as more visceral. The present study results fit somewhat with this model and may also help explain previous mixed findings in relation to the role of emotions in time to presentation . Worry – even frequent worry – motivated help‐seeking partly as a means of alleviating it.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…Another study, focusing specifically on fear intensity concluded that higher levels of fear facilitated rather than hindered help‐seeking . Finally, a recent systematic review of studies with patients also highlighted the mixed impact of emotions on time to presentation, concluding that more emotion‐focused research was needed in order to unravel its complexity .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Emotional responses to the experience of cancer ‘alarm’ symptoms

et al. 2015

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ObjectiveTo qualitatively explore associations between emotional responses to experience of cancer ‘alarm’ symptoms and help‐seeking in a community sample of adults.MethodInterviewees (n = 62) were recruited from a community sample (n = 2042) of adults aged ≥50 years, who had completed a health survey that included a list of cancer alarm symptoms. Participants who had reported an alarm symptom both at baseline and 3‐month follow‐up (n = 271), and who had consented to contact (n = 215), constituted the pool for invitations to interview.ResultsOver a third of participants (37%) described an emotional response to their symptom experience. In all these cases, there was evidence of awareness of the risk of cancer. Emotional responses were usually either classified as mild (‘worry’) or severe (‘fear’). Worry was often described in the context of a desire to seek medical help, either to rule out cancer or to minimise patient delay. In contrast, the ‘fear’ group described associations with death, the perceived incurability of cancer, and the consequence of a cancer diagnosis. Where the emotional reaction was fear, medical contact was seen as something to be avoided either because it had no value or because it was preferable not to be told a diagnosis.ConclusionIn this community sample, worry about the possibility of cancer was associated with help‐seeking, either for reassurance or as part of a ‘sensible’ strategy to deal with the risk. In contrast, fear was associated with avoiding help‐seeking or even thinking about cancer, which could lead to prolonged help‐seeking intervals. © 2015 The Authors. Psycho‐Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emotional responses to the experience of cancer ‘alarm’ symptoms

et al. 2015

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“…One potential explanation is the mixed role of emotion in help-seeking [31], where cancer worry can act both as a barrier and facilitator to contacting a health care professional [32]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of body vigilance on help-seeking for cancer ‘alarm’ symptoms: a community-based survey

et al. 2016

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BackgroundThe act of detecting bodily changes is a pre-requisite for subsequent responses to symptoms, such as seeking medical help. This is the first study to explore associations between self-reported body vigilance and help-seeking in a community sample currently experiencing cancer ‘alarm’ symptoms.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional study design, a ‘health survey’ was mailed through primary care practices to 4913 UK adults (age ≥50 years, no cancer diagnosis), asking about symptom experiences and medical help-seeking over the previous three months. Body vigilance, cancer worry and current illness were assessed with a small number of self-report items derived from existing measures.ResultsThe response rate was 42% (N = 2042). Almost half the respondents (936/2042; 46%) experienced at least one cancer alarm symptom. Results from logistic regression analysis revealed that paying more attention to bodily changes was significantly associated with help-seeking for cancer symptoms (OR = 1.44; 1.06-1.97), after controlling for socio-demographics, current illness and cancer worry. Being more sensitive to bodily changes was not significantly associated with help-seeking.ConclusionsRespondents who paid attention to their bodily changes were more likely to seek help for their symptoms. Although the use of a cross-sectional study design and the limited assessment of key variables preclude any firm conclusions, encouraging people to be body vigilant may contribute towards earlier cancer diagnosis. More needs to be understood about the impact this might have on cancer-related anxiety.

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“…A systematic review of 102 studies from 26 countries showed that people fear a cancer diagnosis because cancer is considered a vicious, unpredictable enemy that attacks unannounced, and often leads to death of the victims . While fear about getting cancer may prompt screening for cancers, fear about cancer treatment may lead to delayed help‐seeking to avoid being diagnosed with a cancer . Cancer treatments have been feared because of their side effects including psychosocial and bodily changes .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%