Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Patients with Sarcoma in the United Kingdom

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a persistent concern among those living with cancer and is associated with a variety of negative psychosocial outcomes. However, people with sarcoma have been underrepresented within this area of research. We aimed to determine the prevalence of FCR experienced by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cancers 2023-02, Vol.15 (3), p.956
Main Authors: Petrella, Anika, Storey, Lesley, Hulbert-Williams, Nicholas J, Fern, Lorna A, Lawal, Maria, Gerrand, Craig, Windsor, Rachael, Woodford, Julie, Bradley, Jennie, O'Sullivan, Hatty, Wells, Mary, Taylor, Rachel M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities of daily living
Cancer
Cancer patients
Cancer therapies
Children
Cognitive ability
Connective tissues
Disability
Emotions
Fear
Flexibility
Gender
Health aspects
Intervention
Metastases
Patients
Psychological aspects
Quality of life
Relapse
Sarcoma
Surveys
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Summary:Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a persistent concern among those living with cancer and is associated with a variety of negative psychosocial outcomes. However, people with sarcoma have been underrepresented within this area of research. We aimed to determine the prevalence of FCR experienced by people with sarcoma in the United Kingdom and explore factors that may predict FCR, such as the perceived impact of cancer and psychological flexibility. Participants ( = 229) with soft tissue ( = 167), bone ( = 25), and gastrointestinal stromal tumours ( = 33) completed an online survey including the self-reported measures of FCR, the perceived physical and psychological impact of cancer and psychological flexibility, and demographic information. Data were analysed using ANOVA and multiple regression modelling. Mean FCR scores ( = 91.4; = 26.5) were higher than those reported in meta-analytic data inclusive of all cancer types ( = 65.2; = 28.2). Interest in receiving support for FCR was also high (70%). Significant factors associated with FCR included cognitive and emotional distress and psychological flexibility, but not perceptions of the physical impact of cancer ( = 0.56). The negative association between psychological flexibility and FCR suggests the potential benefit of intervention approaches which foster psychological flexibility, such as acceptance and commitment therapy.
ISSN:2072-6694
2072-6694
DOI:10.3390/cancers15030956