Death Concerns Among Individuals Newly Diagnosed with Lung Cancer

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Abstract
Confronting the reality of death is an important challenge for individuals facing life-threatening illness such as lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death. Few studies, however, document the nature of death-related concerns in individuals newly diagnosed with lung cancer. The aims of this exploratory study were to examine unsolicited death-related concerns among newly diagnosed individuals, and to determine if age, gender, marital status, stage of disease, type of treatment, presence of co-morbid conditions, and Veteran status were related to extent of death concerns. A mixed method approach was used to examine death concerns in 73 individuals newly diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. Seven categories related to death were identified: psychological preparation; time left; impact; behavioral preparation; acceptance; cancer death experiences; and post-death. Stage of disease and Veteran status were factors that were related to increased numbers of death-related content. Findings demonstrate that death concerns are varied, primarily negative, and are relevant to the person facing a new lung cancer diagnosis, thus highlighting the importance for health care providers to assess, discuss, and listen for death concerns in the acute care setting.