Novel Intervention May Improve Fear of Recurrence Among Cancer Survivors
Source: Cancer Therapy Advisor, November 2017
ConquerFear, a theory-guided intervention, improves the fear of cancer recurrence among survivors in comparison with a control intervention, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.1
Fear of cancer recurrence is a common and serious issue among survivors and can seriously affect quality of life. The issue is often overlooked, with few trials evaluating methods for improving the problem.
For this randomized study, researchers enrolled survivors of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or melanoma to participate in ConquerFear or a control intervention, Taking-it-Easy, and to complete accompanying questionnaires at baseline (T0), just after therapy completion (T1), and at 3 and 6 months thereafter (T2 and T3, respectively). The primary study endpoint was the degree of change in the fear of cancer recurrence inventory (FCRI) questionnaire, the scores of which ranged from 0 to 168, 168 indicating the worst fear of disease recurrence.