What do people fear about cancer? A systematic review and meta‐synthesis of cancer fears in the general population

Abstract

BackgroundCancer has long inspired fear, but the effect of fear is not well understood; it seems both to facilitate and to deter early diagnosis behaviours. To elucidate fear's behavioural effects, we systematically reviewed and synthesised qualitative literature to explore what people fear about cancer.MethodsWe searched Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Web of Science, AnthroSource, and Anthrobase for studies on cancer fear in breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening and analysed 102 studies from 26 countries using thematic synthesis.ResultsFears of cancer emanated from a core view of cancer as a vicious, unpredictable, and indestructible enemy, evoking fears about its proximity, the (lack of) strategies to keep it at bay, the personal and social implications of succumbing, and fear of dying from cancer.ConclusionsThis view of cancer as ‘an enemy’ reprises the media's ‘war on cancer’ theme and may affect the acceptance of cancer early detection and prevention messages, since cancer's characteristics influenced whether ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ was considered appropriate.

Acceptance of illness by women with breast cancer

“…The psychological sphere is one of the most important because, apart from the ill person, also people who are the closest experience various types of negative emotions, such as fear, anger, the feeling of threat, helplessness and uncertainty [6,7]. Some researchers emphasize the importance of the patient's attitude towards the disease and the skills of coping with emotions resulting from the health situation [8,9].…”

Perceptions and beliefs of lay people from northern Uganda regarding surgery for diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer

“…Other factors that may make people not seek care in health facilities are fears related to a cancer diagnosis. 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 .…”

Sociodemographic, individual and programming characteristics of women with cervical cancer

“…Con todo, cuando la mujer no presenta síntomas de la enfermedad o no comprenden la importancia de realizar el seguimiento, la no adhesión al examen de rutina es más evidente. Tal comportamiento es significativo del aumento de la incidencia y mortalidad de mujeres diagnosticadas tardíamente (14,15) . Hay relato de que de un cuarto a un tercio de la población femenina no siente la necesidad de realizar el examen citopatológico debido a la ausencia de síntomas (16) .…”