Evaluating Worst-Case Scenarios Amongst Anxious and Depressed Adults with Metastatic Cancer: A Qualitative Study

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/xk81jn07p

Abstract

Many adults diagnosed with metastatic cancer fear what the future with cancer may bring, which causes distress and affects quality of life. Existing studies indicate that fears of cancer progression and recurrence are a top concern but few studies explore future fears in detail or in an individualized way. The current study aims to address this shortcoming by prompting 171 anxious and depressed adults recruited from Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers (RMCC) to share their worst-case scenarios related to cancer, helping characterize the content and frequency of their fears. Findings from an open-ended, baseline survey question pulled from a larger parent trial of a supportive intervention (versus usual care) for anxious and depressed adults with metastatic cancer showed that 117 of 171 (68.42%) of participants endorsed a worst-case scenario. The present study was conducted using descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis that identified 9 main themes and 12 sub-themes. Responses regarding death, suffering, loss of independence, and concern for loved ones were the most frequently identified themes, respectively. Moving forward, having knowledge of these core fears can facilitate more effective communication between healthcare providers and their patients and also promote the development of interventions to help patients cope with their worst-case scenarios and reduce their anxiety and fear more generally.

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