Rapid diagnostic and treatment pathways involve shortening the time for diagnosis and/or initiation of treatment of cancer. Receiving a diagnosis of cancer or awaiting results can be a major cause of distress and anxiety. Rapid pathways can shorten the period of uncertainty and have been examined for effects on anxiety.
Brocken, P., Prins, J.B., Dekhuijzen, P.N., & van der Heijden, H.F. (2012). The faster the better? A systematic review on distress in the diagnostic phase of suspected cancer, and the influence of rapid diagnostic pathways. Psycho-Oncology, 21(1), 1-10.
STUDY PURPOSE: To synthesize the evidence regarding the effect of rapid diagnostic approaches on anxiety in patients with cancer
TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review
PHASE OF CARE: Diagnostic
Patients receiving a benign diagnosis showed significant decreases in anxiety. Women eventually diagnosed with breast cancer had either increased or sustained anxiety levels; however, increases were not statistically significant in all but one study. Findings were mixed in this regard across studies involving prostate and ovarian cancer and melanoma. Among suspected breast cancer cases, 46%-73% had anxiety scores (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] instrument) that were ≥ 8, indicating at least borderline clinically relevant anxiety. In studies using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) tool, suspected patients with breast cancer had mean STAI scores between 40.1 and 60, with a score of 44 being considered high anxiety. Three studies examined the effect of rapid diagnostic evaluation in breast cancer. One study found significantly larger reduction in anxiety after 24 hours in a one-stop evaluation versus two-stop evaluation; however, this difference disappeared after three weeks. In all studies, anxiety declined significantly among those who had benign result when results were obtained more quickly. In all studies, there were small numbers of patients who were diagnosed with benign disease.
Rapid diagnostic pathways reduce anxiety in patients with benign disease.
No evaluation of the quality of studies was included.
Findings that anxiety declines in patients with benign disease are not surprising. Findings confirm that the more quickly one receives a benign diagnosis, the more quickly related anxiety is reduced. The emotional impact during the diagnostic phase related to cancer can be substantial. Use of one-stop rapid diagnosis can result in a shorter period of uncertainty and related anxiety.
Sharp, L., Cotton, S., Gray, N., Avis, M., Russell, I., Walker, L., . . . TOMBOLA Group. (2011). Long-term psychosocial impact of alternative management policies in women with low-grade abnormal cervical cytology referred for colposcopy: A randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Cancer, 104, 255-264.
To compare the psychosocial outcomes of two different approaches for management of women undergoing colposcopy: immediate large loop excision versus punch biopsies with recall
In a larger study, women had been randomly assigned to cytological surveillance or colposcopy for low-grade abnormal cervical cytology. Women having colposcopy then were randomly assigned to either immediate large loop excision or to a group having punch biopsies and selective recall. Assessments were done at baseline, at six weeks post-procedure, and at 12,18, 24, and 30 months.
PHASE OF CARE: Diagnostic
Randomized controlled trial
There were no differences between groups in prevalence of significant depression at any study time-point. In all patients, the median POMS score fell significantly from recruitment to 12 months (p < .001) and remained stable thereafter. There were no significant differences in average scores at any time-point. In all patients, anxiety fell significantly from baseline to six weeks post-procedure (p < .001) and remained stable thereafter. There were no significant differences between groups at any time point in the study.
There were no differences in symptoms of anxiety and depression based on the type of management examined here for women undergoing colposcopy. In all patients, anxiety and depression declined significantly shortly after the procedure and then remained stable over the next 24 months. However, the prevalence of significant depression (HADS depression subscale ≥ 8 ) increased from 6% precolcoscopy to 9.6% at 30 months.
Findings suggest that the specific approach to management with colposcopy does not significantly impact anxiety and depression in women with low-risk abnormal cervical cytology. The timing of depression increase seen here might suggest that extended follow-up after colposcopy and treatment may be associated with depression for some women. Which of the strategies examined here offers the best balance between benefits and harms is a matter of continuing debate.
Wevers, M.R., Ausems, M.G., Verhoef, S., Bleiker, E.M., Hahn, D.E., Brouwer, T., . . . Aaronson, N.K. (2015). Does rapid genetic counseling and testing in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients cause additional psychosocial distress? Results from a randomized clinical trial. Genetics in Medicine, 18, 137–144.
To assess the psychosocial impact of rapid genetic testing and counseling among women with newly diagnosed breast cancer
Patients were randomly assigned to rapid genetic counseling and testing (RGTC) or usual care control groups. Those in the RGTC group were offered an appointment with a clinical geneticist within five working days, and rapid DNA testing with results were provided within about four weeks. Participants complete study measures at baseline, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.
PHASE OF CARE: Diagnostic
Ninety-six percent of those in the experimental group had genetic counseling consultation, and 33% had DNA testing prior to surgery. In the usual care group, 71% had genetic counseling and 62% had DNA testing, 10% prior to surgery. There were no differences between groups in worries, anxiety, depression, quality of life (QOL), decisional conflict, or satisfaction with decision-making. In both groups, worries and measures of psychosocial distress declined over time.
Findings did not show that offering rapid genetic counseling and testing had any effect on QOL, anxiety, or depression among individuals newly diagnosed with breast cancer.