Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Survivors of Human Papillomavirus–Associated Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

Casswell, Georgina; Gough, Karla; Drosdowsky, Allison; Bressel, Mathias; Coleman, Andrew; Shrestha, Sudi; D’Costa, Ieta; Fua, Tsien; Tiong, Albert; Liu, Chen; Rischin, Danny; McDowell, Lachlan

doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.07.006

Cited by 15 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Approximately 50% of cancer survivors experience moderate-to-high levels of FCR [ 2 , 3 ], which left untreated, are associated with poorer health outcomes [ 5 , 7 – 9 ]. Support for FCR remains a significant unmet need for cancer survivors, where systemic barriers to identifying and treating FCR include lack of routine screening and limited resources to provide interventions for individuals experiencing FCR [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) describes the fear, worry, or concern cancer will come back or progress [ 1 ]. Approximately, 50% of cancer survivors experience moderate-to-high or clinically significant FCR [ 2 , 3 ]. FCR involves intrusive thoughts, worries, hypervigilance to physical symptoms and either avoidance of, or excessive levels of symptom checking [ 1 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Study protocol for the evaluation of Fear-Less: a stepped-care program for fear of cancer recurrence in survivors with early-stage disease

Tran

Jefford

Smith

et al. 2022

Pilot Feasibility Stud

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Background Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a significant unmet need amongst cancer survivors and is consistently associated with psychological distress and impaired quality of life. Psychological interventions for FCR, such as ConquerFear, have demonstrated efficacy in reducing FCR and improving emotional wellbeing. Unfortunately, there are barriers to the uptake of evidence-based FCR treatments in clinical practice. A stepped-care FCR treatment model may overcome these barriers and has demonstrated potential in people with advanced melanoma. This study aims to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and impact of a stepped-care FCR treatment model (Fear-Less) in people with other cancer types, who have completed treatment with curative intent. Methods Sixty people with early-stage cancer (defined as individuals who have received treatment with curative intent and with no metastatic disease) will be screened for FCR using the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory—Short Form (FCRI-SF). Individuals reporting moderate FCR (FCRI-SF between 13 and 21) will be offered a clinician-guided self-management resource; those reporting high FCR (FCRI-SF ≥ 22) will be offered individual therapy according to the ConquerFear protocol. Participants will complete purpose-built evaluation surveys assessing their FCR screening and intervention experiences. Clinicians will also complete a survey regarding their experiences of the treatment model. Fear-Less will be evaluated in terms of (1) acceptability (i.e., patient and clinician experience), (2) feasibility (i.e., referral uptake, treatment adherence, and time taken to screen and deliver interventions), and (3) impact (i.e., pre- to post-intervention FCR changes). Discussion The Fear-Less stepped-care model is a novel framework for screening FCR and stratifying survivors to the appropriate level of treatment. Our study will provide an indication of whether Fear-Less is a feasible and acceptable FCR model of care amongst survivors with early-stage disease and inform further investigations of this model. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR); ACTRN12622000818730.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study protocol for the evaluation of Fear-Less: a stepped-care program for fear of cancer recurrence in survivors with early-stage disease

Tran

Jefford

Smith

et al. 2022

Pilot Feasibility Stud

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Depression and suicide are higher among survivors of head and neck cancer compared with the general population, 28 29 and depressive symptoms in patients with head and neck cancer have been shown to impact overall survival. 30 The incidence of mental illness in survivors of HPV-OPC specifically is not well-described, but clinically significant fear of cancer recurrence has been shown in over half of patients with HPV-OPC 31 ; further study and attention to the mental health of HPV-OPC survivors is warranted.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-Term Toxic Effects, Swallow Function, and Quality of Life on MC1273: A Phase 2 Study of Dose De-escalation for Adjuvant Chemoradiation in Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer

Price¹,

Abel²,

Moore³

et al. 2022

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics

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“…Moreover, fear of cancer recurrence is a well-described post-treatment phenomenon that occurs in up to 50% of patients with cancer. 17 , 18 Interventions to improve support for these post-treatment fears and anxieties are warranted, such as shorter time to follow-up and early initiation of cognitive behavioral therapy. 17 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patient-Reported Outcomes After Chemoradiation in Patients With Anal Cancer: A Qualitative Analysis

Corrigan¹,

De²,

Rooney³

et al. 2022

Advances in Radiation Oncology

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Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Survivors of Human Papillomavirus–Associated Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

Cited by 15 publications

References 37 publications

Study protocol for the evaluation of Fear-Less: a stepped-care program for fear of cancer recurrence in survivors with early-stage disease

Study protocol for the evaluation of Fear-Less: a stepped-care program for fear of cancer recurrence in survivors with early-stage disease

Long-Term Toxic Effects, Swallow Function, and Quality of Life on MC1273: A Phase 2 Study of Dose De-escalation for Adjuvant Chemoradiation in Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer

Patient-Reported Outcomes After Chemoradiation in Patients With Anal Cancer: A Qualitative Analysis

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