A serious diagnosis

• Salander, P. (2002). “Bad news from the patient’s perspective: an analysis of the written narratives of newly diagnosed cancer patients.” Social Science & Medicine, 55(5), 721-732. A patient-perspective study of the moment of diagnosis itself – the source behind this page’s point that hearing the words is its own kind of shock, separate from whatever comes after, and that it draws a line through time regardless of what was expected beforehand.
• Dugas, M.J., Gagnon, F., Ladouceur, R. & Freeston, M.H. (1998). “Generalized anxiety disorder: A preliminary test of a conceptual model.” Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36(2), 215-226. The source behind the “intolerance of uncertainty” model referenced on this page – why the gap between referral and answer often does more damage to peace of mind than the diagnosis itself.
• Baile, W.F., Buckman, R., Lenzi, R., Glober, G., Beale, E.A. & Kudelka, A.P. (2000). “SPIKES—A six-step protocol for delivering bad news: application to the patient with cancer.” The Oncologist, 5(4), 302-311. The foundational clinical protocol for breaking bad news – the source behind this page’s point that measured, clinical delivery can feel strangely distant from the emotional reality of the news itself.
• Mitchell, A.J., Chan, M., Bhatti, H., et al. (2011). “Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder in oncological, haematological, and palliative-care settings: a meta-analysis of 94 interview-based studies.” The Lancet Oncology, 12(2), 160-174. A large-scale review of mental health outcomes following serious diagnosis – the source behind this page’s point that persistent low mood or dread in the weeks that follow is worth raising with a GP.