In Their Own Words, "Waiting Sucks:" A Qualitative Study of Medical Testing-Related Anxiety in Patients with Cancer

Objective: This qualitative study sought to learn from patients with cancer -- in their own words -- about anxiety associated with medical testing.

Methods: Patients with cancer or a history of cancer were recruited from an oncology clinic. After oral consent, each was interviewed in person. A semi-structured interview guide was used to help focus the interviews. Interviews were then recorded, transcribed, and analyzed with rigorous qualitative methods.

Results: Twenty patients are the focus of this report, which highlights 2 main themes from the data. The first is that anxiety related to medical testing is a real entity. Although not all patients experienced it, those who did described it as such ("I was a little apprehensive." "It's the anticipation." "I don't think it bothers me until I get near the time for testing."). The second theme focused on coping. Patients offered insight on how to cope ("So I just deal with it and work." "And don't let myself sink into a pity pot …." "See your scan as a tool instead of … instead of um … a death sentence, I suppose.").

Conclusion: In patients with cancer, the anxiety from medical testing is real, could perhaps be mitigated by sharing coping methods from patient to patient, and merits further study.