ArticleEuropean journal of cancer care2022
Not as simple as "fear of the unknown": A qualitative study exploring anxiety in the radiotherapy department.
Article in European journal of cancer care, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 10 citations in OpenAlex.
- Predictors of survival among head and neck cancer patients after radiotherapy based on health-related quality of life indices and symptoms-specific outcomes: a systematic review.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2025Pooled it
- Impact of background music listening on anxiety in cancer patients undergoing initial radiation therapy: a randomized clinical trial.Radiation oncology (London, England) · 2024Trial
- A machine learning approach to profiling anxiety risk among cancer patients on treatment.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
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- Exploring barriers to resilience among preoperative non-small cell lung cancer patients: a qualitative study in China.BMC nursing · 2025Article
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- Changes in satisfaction and anxiety about radiotherapy for pediatric cancer by two-step audio-visual instruction.Technical innovations & patient support in radiation oncology · 2023Article
- Not as simple as "fear of the unknown": A qualitative study exploring anxiety in the radiotherapy department.European journal of cancer care · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveLittle is understood about the anxiety experienced by cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy or investigative imaging. Our aim was to identify sources of anxiety, the points along the cancer journey where anxiety occurred and methods to alleviate it.
methodsSix focus groups were conducted with cancer patients (n = 17), caregivers (n = 3) and healthcare practitioners (HCPs; n = 10) in the radiotherapy department. Patients described specific elements in the care pathway which induced anxiety, while HCPs focused on their perception of the patient experience. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data.
resultsThree broad themes emerged: The Environment, The Individual and The Unknown. The physical environment of the hospital, inside the scanner for example, emerged as a key source of anxiety. The impact of cancer on patients' individual lives was significant, with many feeling isolated. The majority of participants described anxiety associated with the unknown. HCPs reported difficulty in identifying the anxious patient.
conclusionsAnxiety is experienced throughout the cancer pathway. Common sources include the physical environment and the uncertainty associated with having cancer. Identifying both anxiety-inducing factors, and the anxious patients themselves, is crucial to enable targeted interventions to alleviate anxiety.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.