Fear of cancer recurrence and its predictors and outcomes among cancer survivors: A descriptive correlational study

Abstract

Purpose: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a major issue in the context of survivorship. The identification of predictors and outcomes of FCR is a top research priority. The purpose of this study was to understand FCR as a process and to identify predictors and outcomes of FCR among Korean cancer survivors.

Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted on 240 cancer survivors who had completed cancer treatment and were then receiving regular follow-up care. The FCR, health behaviors, and quality of life (QoL) of participants were measured. The process of FCR was evaluated using mediation analysis, moderation analysis and path analysis. Predictors and outcomes of FCR were identified using t tests, chi-square tests, Spearman correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis.

Results: The clinical level of FCR (≥13) was experienced by 66.2% of cancer survivors. Female and breast cancer patients demonstrated higher FCR severity. FCR severity functioned as a mediator between triggers and both psychological distress and functioning impairments. FCR severity was not related to health behaviors. Significant but small variance in QoL was explained by FCR severity and functional status (p < .001).

Conclusions: The process of FCR was explained in terms of FCR severity functioning as a mediator between triggers and both psychological distress and functioning impairments. The small but significant contribution of FCR severity to QoL indicated the significance of addressing FCR in survivorship care by screening and providing interventions for at-risk survivors.

Keywords: Cancer survivors; Fear of cancer recurrence; Functional impairment; Psychological distress; Quality of life.