Triggers and Coping Strategies for Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study

Zhang, Xu; Sun, Di; Wang, Zhiwen; Qin, Nan

doi:10.3390/curroncol29120746

Cited by 8 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…We found that one consequence of FCR was a negative impact on quality of life and ability to perform activities of daily living. Although our study supports the literature showing that a FCR affects daily life 15,17 and is associated with poor quality of life, 3,11,32,33 we were unable to explore in detail the other psychological consequences that have been reported in the literature, and this warrants further investigation. FCR shaped the interactions that patients had with health care professionals during follow-up appointments and scans.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 44%

“…15 Again patients with sarcoma were not represented in this literature nor in studies conducted subsequently. 16,17 Patient's experience of FCR has not been explored explicitly in previous qualitative studies in sarcoma, but in Reissman's personal narrative of living with sarcoma, she noted “fear of recurrence is a constant companion.” Although the psychological impacts were a significant negative consequence for patients treated with osteosarcoma, only three of eight participants specifically mentioned FCR. 18 However, five of seven patients in a study with soft tissue sarcoma noted that FCR was constant, debilitating, and impeded how they lived their lives.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experiences of fear of recurrence in patients with sarcoma

Vindrola-Padros,

Fern,

Gerrand

et al. 2023

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research &Amp; Practice

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Background: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is often described as the most distressing consequence of cancer and has a negative impact on quality of life. There have been few investigations into the FCR in patients with sarcomas. We sought to explore the patient's FCR after a sarcoma diagnosis to determine when these fears were presented and the strategies patients used to address these fears. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of qualitative semi-structured interview data from patients with sarcoma, as part of a study to develop a patient-reported outcome measure. This study included 121 patients from across the United Kingdom aged 13–82 years. Telephone and face-to-face interviews focused on the experiences of living with and beyond a sarcoma diagnosis, based on the domains of quality of life (physical, emotional, and social well-being). A secondary analysis was performed using the Common-Sense Model. Results: The following four key themes were identified: triggers for FCR (symptoms and events), discussion of FCR, consequences of FCR (negative impact on quality of life), and strategies used to deal with FCR. Conclusion: Patients with sarcoma reported a FCR at different stages of treatment and how these fears played a role in their daily lives. Despite these experiences, the identification and management of FCR have not been reported as a core component of routine clinical practice.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 44%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of fear of recurrence in patients with sarcoma

Vindrola-Padros,

Fern,

Gerrand

et al. 2023

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research &Amp; Practice

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“…The fear of recurrence is also commonly reported in the literature, occurs independent of age, and is perceived as very distressing [ 34 – 36 ]. The time just before a medical appointment is described as a trigger [ 35 , 36 ]; therefore, the reassurance provided by this is perceived as helpful [ 35 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facing life-threat during youth: a qualitative study on challenges, coping, and needs among adolescents and young adults with cancer

Wilharm,

Pralong,

Weiss

et al. 2024

Support Care Cancer

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Purpose While the unique situation of adolescents and young adults with cancer (AYAs) has become the focus of research and clinical practice, little is known about how they deal with the threat to life at a curative stage. The aim of this study was to obtain insight into the challenges, coping strategies, and needs of AYAs regarding the life-threatening nature of their diseases. Methods Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with patients who were 18–39 years old at diagnosis. The interviews took place 2–5 years after their diagnosis. Patients who were still undergoing treatment or who were suspected of recurrence were excluded. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results Fifteen patients (mean age 27.33 years, nine females) were interviewed in a large comprehensive cancer center in Germany. Before diagnosis, AYAs had not faced their own mortality and had little experience with cancer. The sudden confrontation with a life-threatening disease and therapy, as well as experiencing the death of other AYAs, challenged them. Fear, particularly regarding recurrence and death, and the loss of trust in their own bodies were the major emotions that continued to limit them even after the end of treatment. For mothers, concern of leaving their young children alone was paramount. Coping strategies frequently mentioned were hope, avoidance, self-soothing, and valuing the experience as a chance. Health care professionals were expected to be reassuring, motivating, and open and to provide honest information based on individual and current needs. Conclusion AYAs appear to cope with life-threats similarly to older patients but have additional unique challenges, including inexperience with life-threatening diseases and responsibility for young children. More research is needed in this area, although it is already evident that AYAs need honest and reassuring communication regarding the life-threat during any curable phases of their disease. Trial registration number DRKS00030277; September 27, 2022 (German Clinical Trials Register).

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“…19 Also, the results of a study by Jacobson et al (2022) showed that the COVID-19 crisis increased emotional tension, fear of death, negative thoughts, and depression in adolescents with cancer. 20 Zhang et al (2022) reported that childhood cancer survivors continue to be affected by emotional tension, negative thoughts, and fear of illness and death. 21 Likewise, Hamama-Raz et al (2022) reported that childhood cancer survivors experience constant fear of illness, anxiety, and rumination even years after having been rid of cancer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…20 Zhang et al (2022) reported that childhood cancer survivors continue to be affected by emotional tension, negative thoughts, and fear of illness and death. 21 Likewise, Hamama-Raz et al (2022) reported that childhood cancer survivors experience constant fear of illness, anxiety, and rumination even years after having been rid of cancer. 22 All of the abovementioned studies verify that childhood cancer survivors suffered from emotional tension, negative thoughts, and depression not only in the course of their illness, but after recovery.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethical challenges as perceived by nurses in pediatric oncology units

Mohammadi,

Naderi,

Nikrouz

et al. 2023

Nurs Ethics

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Background Providing care to children with cancer is one of the most challenging areas of ethical care for nurses. Few studies have addressed nurses’ perception of the barriers to giving ethical care in oncology departments. Thus, it is essential that the ethical challenges in caregiving as perceived by oncology nurses be investigated. Objective The present study was conducted to investigate the ethical challenges as perceived by nurses in pediatric oncology units in the south of Iran. Research design The present study is a qualitative work of research with a conventional content analysis design. Data were collected via individual semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method. Participants and research context The participants were 21 nurses from pediatric oncology units in state hospitals who were selected by purposeful sampling. Sampling continued until the data were saturated. The study lasted from April to October 2022. Findings Three main themes, promoting psychological safety in the children, respect for the dignity of the children, and expansion of support for families, and nine subthemes were extracted from the data. Ethical considerations The study’s protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Medical Sciences and ethical principles were followed throughout the study. Discussion and conclusion From the nurses’ perspective, the major ethical challenges in providing ethical care in pediatric oncology units were reducing tension toward promoting the patients’ psychological safety, showing respect for the identity and dignity of the children with cancer, and expanding support of the patients’ families. By creating the right cultural and professional context and establishing proper protocols, healthcare policymakers and administrators can take effective steps toward eliminating the barriers to providing ethical care.

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Triggers and Coping Strategies for Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study

Cited by 8 publications

References 23 publications

Experiences of fear of recurrence in patients with sarcoma

Experiences of fear of recurrence in patients with sarcoma

Facing life-threat during youth: a qualitative study on challenges, coping, and needs among adolescents and young adults with cancer

Ethical challenges as perceived by nurses in pediatric oncology units

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