The role of interpretation biases and symptom burden in fear of cancer recurrence/progression among ovarian cancer survivors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poorva Pradhan ◽  
Louise Sharpe ◽  
Phyllis Butow ◽  
Hayley Russell
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Fear Of Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Interpretation Biases ◽  
Fear Of Cancer

Fear of Cancer Recurrence

2021 ◽  
pp. 755-759
Author(s):  
Allan B. Smith ◽  
Joanna E. Fardell ◽  
Phyllis N. Butow
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Fear Of Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
After Cancer ◽  
Fear Of Cancer ◽  
High Level

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is broadly defined as “fear, worry or concern relating to the possibility that cancer will come back or progress.” Some degree of FCR is almost universal among cancer survivors, and management of FCR is frequently reported as an unmet need. Conceptualization and measurement of FCR remain challenging, as consensus regarding its multidimensional nature and clinical presentation is yet to be established. Accordingly, estimated prevalence rates of “clinical FCR” vary widely. Research suggests that if left untreated FCR remains stable over time, and that those who are younger, have greater symptom burden, and experience greater psychological distress are likely to experience more FCR. In contrast, medical (diagnosis staging, treatment, etc.) and other demographic variables do not appear to be strongly associated with FCR levels, making identification of FCR in clinical practice difficult. Brief FCR screening measures have been developed, but further work validating clinical cut-offs is needed. Those who experience a high level of FCR have poorer quality of life and experience difficulties moving on with their life after cancer diagnosis and treatment. A growing number of interventions have demonstrated efficacy in addressing FCR in recent years, with those using contemporary cognitive-behavioral therapy approaches focused on how patients relate to their thoughts, rather than on changing the contents of thoughts, shown to be most effective. Priorities for future research include development of treatment models, such as stepped care, that address the varying levels of FCR in cancer survivors and use interventions of varying intensity to efficiently address FCR.

scholarly journals Perilla Oil and Bifidobacterium for Alleviating Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Breast Cancer Survivors: Study Protocol for a Three-Arm Phase II Randomized Controlled Study (POB Study)

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Yohei Sasaki ◽  
Mina Honyashiki ◽  
Takayuki Kinoshita ◽  
Akira Matsui ◽  
Ayako Nakashoji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Study Protocol ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Fear Of Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Perilla Oil ◽  
Fear Of Cancer

The fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is the most common and most severe unmet need among cancer survivors. Safe treatments for the FCR that are easily disseminated are greatly needed. Our primary aim is a preliminary evaluation of the efficacy and effect size of perilla oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and Bifidobacterium, a probiotic, on FCR in breast cancer survivors after the completion of chemotherapy. This study has been planned as an exploratory clinical study (phase II) and will be conducted as a three-arm, 12-week parallel group, masked-rater randomized controlled trial. Fifteen participants will be randomized with 1:1:1 allocation to receive Bifidobacterium plus perilla oil, Bifidobacterium alone, or no intervention (control). Interventions will end within 12 weeks after the random allocation of each participant. The participants will be outpatients with invasive breast cancer aged 20 years or older whose chemotherapy was completed at least 6 months before registration; hormone therapy may be ongoing. The primary outcome will be severity of FCR at 12 weeks assessed by masked raters using the 4-item Concerns about Recurrence Scale concerning overall fear of recurrence. The study protocol for the current study is registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs031200029).

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