It is common for cancer survivors to fear their cancer could return or progress at any time, and it’s a feeling that takes a significant toll on both patients and their loved ones. According to a new commentary published in the American Journal of Roentgenology, this is an aspect of patient care that radiologists and radiology personnel don’t always spend enough time considering.
“Every day in busy radiology departments throughout the United States, patients who have received a diagnosis of and been treated for cancer undergo radiologic imaging examinations to determine whether their cancer has recurred,” wrote authors Peter W. Colemanand Richard B. Gunderman, MD, PhD, of the department of radiology at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. “Radiology lectures and articles naturally focus on identifying the most appropriate means to detect the biologic signs of such recurrences. From patients' viewpoints, however, cancer recurrence is also fraught with psychologic implications, and it is important for radiology personnel of every level to understand them to better meet patients' needs.”
Coleman and Gunderman provided an in-depth look at the fear of cancer recurrence among patients. These are five ways the authors noted radiologists and other radiology personnel can help patients with these feelings.
1. Remember that the fear of cancer recurrent is not limited to patients alone.
Sometimes, Coleman and Gunderman explained, it isn’t the patient who is suffering the most from this fear but the patient’s loved ones.
“To a significant degree, every patient's experience of cancer survivorship depends on how family and friends are coping with the diagnosis,” the authors wrote. “Radiology personnel, from greeter to physician, should remember that every member of a family or social group that accompanies a patient to the radiology department may be experiencing such anxiety.”
2. Know your specific role.
“Radiology departments and their personnel cannot function as counseling centers or support groups, but there are certain steps every radiologist, technologist, nurse, and other department member can take to help patients who may be struggling with the fear of cancer recurrence,” the authors wrote. “Of course, there are no hard and fast rules, and it is important to stay attuned to each particular patient.”
Front desk staff, for instance, can assist patients by greeting them with empathy and being patient. Technologists, on the other hand, can be calm and respectful while explaining procedures to the patient. If each employee plays their part, it can add up to an experience that truly helps patients in this challenging time.
3. Respect that patients have lives outside of their appointment.
Coleman and Gunderman noted that providers can help patients immensely by simply speaking with them about their lives. Maybe look at photos of the patient’s family, for example, or ask them about their various hobbies. Even these quick moments can help a patient make it through their appointment a little less worried about what the imaging tests may reveal.
4. Prepare a plan for communicating with the patient if signs of cancer recurrence are detected.
Radiology departments must prepare a plan for when signs of cancer recurrence are detected in imaging results. If a technologist noticed something suspicious, for instance, how should they act in front of the patient? What language is best to use? These things must be determined in advance to make sure patients don’t have a negative experience.
The authors added that it is important for radiologist to remain on the same page as ordering physicians when it comes to communicating this information to patients.
“For the time being, we think it is paramount for the radiologist to be familiar with the ordering physician's wishes,” they wrote. “For example, many oncologists prefer to deliver the news of recurrence. Furthermore, the oncologist is also better equipped to prognosticate. This is an area for ongoing conversation and development within diagnostic radiology."
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.