Margaret Cupit-Link1, Karen L Syrjala2, Shahrukh K Hashmi3. 1. Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. Electronic address: cupit-link.margaret@mayo.edu. 2. Biobehavioral Sciences Department, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA. 3. Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE/ BACKGROUND: Improvements in curative treatments for many types of cancer have emerged over the past several decades, resulting in a growing population of long-term cancer survivors - of both adult and childhood cancers. Despite this incredible medical achievement, long-term survivors of cancer face a unique fear: the fear of relapse. METHODS: We conducted a review of the literature for data on fear of relapse among cancer survivors. RESULTS: The fear of cancer recurrence is present in survivors of childhood and adult cancers as well as family members and often leads to psychological sequelae. CONCLUSION: Literature on the fear of cancer recurrence has begun to emerge. However, herein we provide a unique approach through the use of a metaphor: Cicero's story of Damocles' sword. We aim to outline the many fear-related and emotional challenges faced by cancer survivors with an extensive review of studies demonstrating such challenges.
OBJECTIVE/ BACKGROUND: Improvements in curative treatments for many types of cancer have emerged over the past several decades, resulting in a growing population of long-term cancer survivors - of both adult and childhood cancers. Despite this incredible medical achievement, long-term survivors of cancer face a unique fear: the fear of relapse. METHODS: We conducted a review of the literature for data on fear of relapse among cancer survivors. RESULTS: The fear of cancer recurrence is present in survivors of childhood and adult cancers as well as family members and often leads to psychological sequelae. CONCLUSION: Literature on the fear of cancer recurrence has begun to emerge. However, herein we provide a unique approach through the use of a metaphor: Cicero's story of Damocles' sword. We aim to outline the many fear-related and emotional challenges faced by cancer survivors with an extensive review of studies demonstrating such challenges.
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