Anxiety in breast cancer research (1982-2024): a bibliometric analysis.

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Breast cancer remains a major global malignancy, with anxiety severely impacting patients' quality of life and treatment outcomes. Understanding evolving research trends is critical for developing effective interventions. This study examines 40-year trends, collaborations, and knowledge structures in breast cancer anxiety research. The goal is to inform future directions for psychosocial oncology research and policymaking.<h4>Methods</h4>Articles and reviews related to breast cancer and anxiety were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and corresponding entry terms were employed to optimize the search strategy. CiteSpace (Version 6.4.R1), VOSviewer (Version 1.6.19), and the Bibliometrix R package were used to construct knowledge maps, visualize collaboration networks, monitor journal and author metrics over time, and calculate key indicators such as publication and citation counts. Regression analysis was applied to predict future development trends.<h4>Results</h4>Analysis of 4376 publications revealed a surge in research post-2006, peaking at 316 publications in 2021. The United States led in publications (1333 articles) and citations (56,008), followed by China, England, and Canada. The University of Sydney ranked first institutionally, and Christine Miaskowski was the most influential author. Psycho-Oncology and Supportive Care in Cancer were the leading journals. Co-citation and reference clustering identified key themes, including the psychological impact of COVID-19, psychological interventions, and long-term survivorship. Keyword analysis revealed a consistent focus on terms such as "cancer survivor" and "mental health," with recent trends in "telehealth," "digital interventions," and "mindfulness."<h4>Conclusion</h4>Our analysis confirms a paradigm shift toward psychosocial and digital health interventions in breast cancer anxiety research. The findings advocate for integrated, patient-centered care models and highlight untapped potential in low-resource regions. Future research should prioritize scalable digital tools to address global disparities.