The impact of fear of cancer recurrence on the quality of life of breast cancer patients: A longitudinal study of the mediation effect of cortisol and hope

• Published in: European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society 2024-06, Vol.70, p.102600, Article 102600
• Main Authors: Xiong, Meidi, Cheng, Yuping, Luo, Ying, Fang, Chao, Yao, Hongmei, Liu, Qianqian, Lu, Fang, Li, Xuan, Bie, Ziying, Bai, Jinbing, Zhang, Chunhua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breast cancer; Cortisol; Fear of cancer recurrence; Hope; Quality of life
• ISSN: 1462-3889; 1532-2122; 1532-2122
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102600

This longitudinal study sought to explore the impact of cortisol and hope levels on Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) and Quality of Life (QOL) in a cohort of 552 breast cancer patients from three centers in Wuhan City. A longitudinal study involving 552 breast cancer patients from three centers in Wuhan City utilized Chinese versions of the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), the Herth Hope Index (HHI), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) scale. Cortisol levels were measured thrice daily, and data was collected longitudinally three times. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 and Mplus 8.3, employing a longitudinal path model constructed via the cross-lagged method. The results showed there were significant correlations between FCR, cortisol levels, and QOL at different time points. A significant mediating model was found with outcomes related to hope levels. Specifically, FCR predicted a decrease in hope levels (β = −0.163, p