Anticipatory anxiety and participation in cancer screening. A systematic review.
Belinda C GoodwinLaura E AndersonKatelyn E CollinsSaira SanjidaMarcos RibaGursharan K SinghKimberley M JonesHeather J GreenSana IshaqueAlastair KwokMelissa J OpozdaAmy PearnJoanne M ShawUrsula Margaret Sansom-DalyJoanna M TsirgiotisMonika JandaLisa Bernadette GrechPublished in: Psycho-oncology (2023)
Anticipatory anxiety about a cancer diagnosis may promote screening participation, whereas a fear of the screening procedure could be a barrier. Public health messaging and primary prevention practitioners should acknowledge the appropriate risk of cancer, while engendering screening confidence and highlighting the safety and comfort of screening tests.