Anxiety and cancer-related worry of cancer patients at routine follow-up visits

Abstract

Anxiety and cancer-related worry were assessed in 197 consecutive cancer patients attending follow-up visits. Participants completed questionnaires on three occasions: at the visit, some days later, and three weeks later. Results show that while a majority of patients feel no or only mild anxiety in conjunction to the follow-up visit, about one-fifth report moderate or strong anxiety. Many patients (46% worry about suffering a recurrence and about overlooking symptoms of new cancer (33% Patients who were not in complete remission reported higher levels of cancer-related worry concerning the follow-up visit than did patients in remission. Among patients in remission, those who recently terminated treatment reported more overall distress than patients two or more years since treatment termination. ©1994 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.