Spirituality, Patients' Worry, and Follow-Up Health-Care Utilization among Cancer Survivors

Cannon, Anthony J.; Darrington, Deborah L.; Reed, Elizabeth; Loberiza, Fausto R.

doi:10.1016/j.suponc.2011.03.001

Cited by 28 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…While a normal level of FCR can keep a person alert and aware of symptoms [ 10 ], high levels of FCR can adversely affect a person’s quality of life and social activities [ 11 – 14 ]. Patients may focus obsessively on symptoms [ 10 ], which can restrict their ability to plan for the future and can lead to numerous unscheduled doctor appointments [ 15 , 16 ]. Among the few studies reporting FCR in CRC survivors, the prevalence of high FCR ranges between 4 and 85 % [ 17 – 22 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fear of cancer recurrence in colorectal cancer survivors

Custers

Gielissen

Janssen

et al. 2015

Support Care Cancer

116

121

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PurposeAlthough long-term colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors generally report a good quality of life, fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) remains an important issue. This study investigated whether the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS) can detect high FCR, the prevalence, and characteristics of FCR in CRC survivors.MethodsTwo hundred and eleven patients who had undergone successful CRC surgery in the period 2003–2010 in the Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands were asked to participate. All patients were sent an information letter plus questionnaires for collecting information on demographic and medical variables, FCR, distress, and quality of life.ResultsSeventy-six patients (36 %; median age of 67.7 years range 41–88 years) completed the questionnaires a median of 5.1 years after surgery. A cut-off score of 14 or higher on the CWS was optimal to detect high FCR. Twenty-nine patients (38 %) experienced high levels of FCR, characterized by higher levels of distress, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and lower quality of life. These individuals particularly reacted to disease-related triggers, felt helpless, were worried, and experienced limitations in daily functioning. High FCR was not associated with demographic or medical variables.ConclusionLong after successful CRC surgery, FCR is a serious problem that impairs the quality of life for a substantial proportion of patients. With the CWS, it is possible to detect high FCR and thereby assist survivors in receiving appropriate care.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fear of cancer recurrence in colorectal cancer survivors

Custers

Gielissen

Janssen

et al. 2015

Support Care Cancer

116

121

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“…seeking forgiveness), and the search for purpose and meaning in life following diagnosis [14,15]. Spirituality and improved spiritual well-being are correlated with better overall QOL, psychosocial functioning, and cancer-related anxiety and depression [8,10,11,[16][17][18]. Unmet spiritual needs are associated with diminished QOL, less hospice utilization, and higher healthcare costs in terminally ill cancer patients [15,17,19,20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Palliative care and spiritual well‐being in lung cancer patients and family caregivers

et al. 2015

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Objective Spiritual well-being is an important dimension of quality of life (QOL) and is a core component of quality oncology and palliative care. In this analysis, we aimed to describe spiritual well-being outcomes in a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-supported Program Project that tested the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary palliative care intervention in lung cancer patients and their family caregivers (FCGs). Methods Patients undergoing treatments for NSCLC and their FCGs were enrolled in a prospective, quasi-experimental study. Patients and FCGs in the intervention group were presented at interdisciplinary care meetings and received four educational sessions that included one session focused on spiritual well-being. Spiritual well-being for patients was measured using the FACIT-Sp-12, and FCG spiritual well-being was measured using the COH-QOL-FCG spiritual well-being subscale. Multivariate analysis of covariance was undertaken for subscale and item scores at 12 weeks, controlling for baseline, by religious affiliations (yes or no) and group assignment. Results Religiously-affiliated patients reported better scores in the Faith subscale and items on finding strength and comfort in faith and spiritual beliefs compared to non-affiliated patients. Non-affiliated patients had better scores for feeling a sense of harmony within oneself. By group, patients who received the intervention had significantly better scores for the Meaning/Peace subscale. Conclusions Our findings support the multidimensionality of spiritual well-being that includes constructs such as meaning and faith for lung cancer patients and FCGs with or without religious affiliations. Palliative care interventions should include content that targets the spiritual needs of both patients and FCGs.

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“…For some patients this leads to behavioral consequences including increased health care visits, and double checking for recurrence (Cannon, Darrington, Reed, & Loberiza, 2011; Hawkins et al, 2010). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR(BC)) in breast cancer: evaluating fear of recurrence (FOR) as a mediator of psychological and physical symptoms in a randomized control trial (RCT)

et al. 2012

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Objectives To investigate the mechanism(s) of action of MBSR(BC) including reductions in fear of recurrence and other potential mediators. Methods Eighty-two post-treatment breast cancer survivors (stages 0-III) were randomly assigned to a 6-week MBSR(BC) program (n=40) or to Usual Care group (UC) (n=42). Psychological and physical variables were assessed as potential mediators at baseline and at 6 weeks. Results MBSR(BC) compared to UC experienced favorable changes for five potential mediators: (i) change in fear of recurrence problems mediated the effect of MBSR(BC) on 6-week change in perceived stress (z=2.12, p=0.03) and state anxiety (z=2.03, p=0.04); and (ii) change in physical functioning mediated the effect of MBSR(BC) on 6-week change in perceived stress (z=2.27, p=0.02) and trait anxiety (z=1.98, p=0.05). Conclusions MBSR(BC) reduces fear of recurrence and improves physical functioning which reduces perceived stress and anxiety. Findings support the beneficial effects of MBSR(BC) and provide insight into the possible cognitive mechanism of action.

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Spirituality, Patients' Worry, and Follow-Up Health-Care Utilization among Cancer Survivors

Cited by 28 publications

References 47 publications

Fear of cancer recurrence in colorectal cancer survivors

Fear of cancer recurrence in colorectal cancer survivors

Palliative care and spiritual well‐being in lung cancer patients and family caregivers

Mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR(BC)) in breast cancer: evaluating fear of recurrence (FOR) as a mediator of psychological and physical symptoms in a randomized control trial (RCT)

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