Study Shows That Previous Cancer ‘False Alarms’ May Discourage Patients From Screening Future Symptoms
Cancer researchers at University College London (UCL) have found that a cancer false alarm could discourage patients from checking out cancer symptoms they develop in the future.
More than 80% of patients with potential cancer symptoms are given the all-clear after investigations. But according to a study published by Renzi et al in BMJ Open, having a false alarm might discourage people from seeking help, even years later, if they notice possible symptoms of the disease again.
Study Findings
The researchers, from the Health Behaviour Research Centre, carried out a review of 19 studies. Their findings suggested that patients may delay seeking help for new or recurrent symptoms if they feel “over-reassured” following a previous false alarm, or felt undersupported at the time by the health-care system.
If patients felt unsupported and believed they had been treated dismissively, some had concerns they might appear to be overreacting if they had future symptoms checked out.
Several studies also reported that insufficient explanation or advice at the time of the false alarm on possible causes of the symptoms or the next steps left patients feeling that doctors could not help them and unsure about what to do next.
Lead author Cristina Renzi, MD, MSc, said, “Patients who go to their general practitioner with symptoms are obviously relieved to find out that they don't have cancer. But, as our review showed, it's important that they don't have a false sense of security and understand they should still seek help if they notice new or recurrent symptoms. Having an all-clear now doesn't guarantee that you won't develop cancer in the future.”
Dr. Renzi continued, “It also appears to be important that patients are given the right support and information during and after cancer investigations so that, following a false alarm, they will still feel encouraged to get any new symptoms checked out quickly.”
The researchers concluded that providing appropriate, balanced information to patients who have a cancer false alarm, including making sure they don't feel foolish about having sought help, might encourage them to check out any future symptoms.
Clinical Implications
The review also indicated that over-reassurance could lead to patients, and sometimes clinicians, linking any future symptoms to the earlier all-clear. In the case of breast symptoms, a benign biopsy result appeared to give some women a false sense of security for many years, with some also reporting being less breast aware even though there would be no guarantee they could not develop breast cancer in the future.
Sara Hiom, Director of Early Diagnosis at Cancer Research UK, said, “It's vitally important that anyone with possible cancer symptoms gets them checked out as soon as possible, including people who have had a false alarm in the past. You're not wasting your doctor's time and may well save time in the long run. Most cancers are picked up after patients seek help about symptoms, and acting promptly on these can mean treatments are simpler and more effective.
She continued, “More research is needed into the best ways to ensure patients are never discouraged from talking to their doctor about symptoms, even after receiving an all-clear.”
Dr. Renzi is the corresponding author for the BMJ Open article.
The content in this post has not been reviewed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO®) and does not necessarily reflect the ideas and opinions of ASCO®.
