Exploring Fear of Cancer Recurrence in a Sample of Heterogeneous Distressed Cancer Patients with and Without a Psychiatric Disorder

Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) is a concern among cancer patients. Recent insights suggest that FCR should be viewed as a distinct syndrome. However, few studies have explored its overlap with psychiatric morbidity. We examined this overlap in a sample of distressed cancer patients. Self-referred p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings 2021-09, Vol.28 (3), p.419-426
Main Authors: Bisseling, Else M., Compen, Félix R., Schellekens, Melanie P. J., Thewes, Belinda, Speckens, Anne E. M., van der Lee, Marije L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cancer
Emotions
Family Medicine
Fear
General Practice
Generalized anxiety disorder
Health Psychology
Humans
Internet access
Interviews
Medical diagnosis
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Mental disorders
Mindfulness
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - epidemiology
Participation
Phobic Disorders
Prevalence
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Summary:Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) is a concern among cancer patients. Recent insights suggest that FCR should be viewed as a distinct syndrome. However, few studies have explored its overlap with psychiatric morbidity. We examined this overlap in a sample of distressed cancer patients. Self-referred patients ( n  = 245) were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis-I disorders and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form. Proportions of patients with and without a psychiatric disorder meeting validated cut-offs for screening and clinically relevant FCR were compared. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 36%. Clinically relevant FCR was found in 198 patients (81%). Patients with a current psychiatric disorder reported clinically relevant FCR more frequently (89%) compared to those with no disorder (77%). Of patients reporting clinically relevant FCR, the majority (61%) did not additionally meet the criteria for a psychiatric disorder. These findings suggest that there should be particular attention for patients with elevated levels of FCR, warranting FCR-specific treatment. Trial registry number Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02138513
ISSN:1068-9583
1573-3572
DOI:10.1007/s10880-021-09776-2