Heide Götze1, Sabine Taubenheim2, Andreas Dietz3, Florian Lordick4, Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf1. 1. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 2. Clinical Cancer Registry Leipzig, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 3. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. 4. University Cancer Center Leipzig (UCCL), University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Our study analysed fear of cancer recurrence (FoR) in long-term cancer survivors in relation to medical variables, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. METHODS: We present data obtained from 1,002 cancer survivors (53% male, mean age=68 years, 26% prostate cancer, 22% breast cancer) across all cancer types 5 (N=660) and 10 (N=342) years after diagnosis, who were recruited via a large Clinical Cancer Registry in Germany in a cross-sectional study. FoR, depression, and anxiety were measured using validated self-report questionnaires (12-item short version of the Fear of Progression Questionnaire [FoP-Q-SF], Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9[, and General Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7]). Hierarchical regression models were carried out with FoR as dependent variable and time since diagnosis as control variable. RESULTS: We found high FoR-values in 17% of the cancer survivors (FoP-Q-SF total score>33). FoR was higher in the 5-year cohort (P=.028, d=0.153). Cancer survivors were most worried about the future of the family; they report being nervous prior to doctor's appointment and being afraid of relying on strangers help. Higher FoR was related to female gender (Beta=.149, P<.001), younger age (Beta=-.103, P<.001), low social (Beta=-.129, P<.001) and emotional functioning (Beta=-.269, P<.001), received hormone therapy (P=.025, d=0.056), and high anxiety levels (Beta=.227, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Even though FoR declines slightly over time, it is still a common mental health problem for long-term survivors even 10 years after cancer diagnosis. Since FoR is associated with reduced emotional and social quality of life, patients who are at greater risk of experiencing FoR must be identified and supported. Particularly at risk are younger women who received hormone therapy.
OBJECTIVE: Our study analysed fear of cancer recurrence (FoR) in long-term cancer survivors in relation to medical variables, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. METHODS: We present data obtained from 1,002 cancer survivors (53% male, mean age=68 years, 26% prostate cancer, 22% breast cancer) across all cancer types 5 (N=660) and 10 (N=342) years after diagnosis, who were recruited via a large Clinical Cancer Registry in Germany in a cross-sectional study. FoR, depression, and anxiety were measured using validated self-report questionnaires (12-item short version of the Fear of Progression Questionnaire [FoP-Q-SF], Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9[, and General Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7]). Hierarchical regression models were carried out with FoR as dependent variable and time since diagnosis as control variable. RESULTS: We found high FoR-values in 17% of the cancer survivors (FoP-Q-SF total score>33). FoR was higher in the 5-year cohort (P=.028, d=0.153). Cancer survivors were most worried about the future of the family; they report being nervous prior to doctor's appointment and being afraid of relying on strangers help. Higher FoR was related to female gender (Beta=.149, P<.001), younger age (Beta=-.103, P<.001), low social (Beta=-.129, P<.001) and emotional functioning (Beta=-.269, P<.001), received hormone therapy (P=.025, d=0.056), and high anxiety levels (Beta=.227, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Even though FoR declines slightly over time, it is still a common mental health problem for long-term survivors even 10 years after cancer diagnosis. Since FoR is associated with reduced emotional and social quality of life, patients who are at greater risk of experiencing FoR must be identified and supported. Particularly at risk are younger women who received hormone therapy.
Authors: Patricia A Parker; Smita C Banerjee; Matthew J Matasar; Carma L Bylund; Elizabeth Schofield; Yuelin Li; Paul B Jacobsen; Alan B Astrow; Howard Leventhal; Steven Horwitz; David Kissane Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2020-03-11 Impact factor: 3.894
Authors: Arnold L Potosky; Kristi D Graves; Li Lin; Wei Pan; Jane M Fall-Dickson; Jaeil Ahn; Kristin M Ferguson; Theresa H M Keegan; Lisa E Paddock; Xiao-Cheng Wu; Rosemary Cress; Bryce B Reeve Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2021-11-17 Impact factor: 4.062
Authors: Esther N Pijnappel; Willemieke P M Dijksterhuis; Mirjam A G Sprangers; Simone Augustinus; Judith de Vos-Geelen; Ignace H J T de Hingh; Izaak Q Molenaar; Olivier R Busch; Marc G Besselink; Johanna W Wilmink; Hanneke W M van Laarhoven Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2022-02-15 Impact factor: 3.359
Authors: S Wiegand; V Zebralla; C Hammermüller; A Hinz; A Dietz; G Wichmann; M Pirlich; T Berger; K Zimmermann; T Neumuth; A Mehnert-Theuerkauf Journal: BMC Cancer Date: 2021-01-22 Impact factor: 4.430
Authors: Rainer Weber; Johannes C Ehrenthal; Evamarie Brock-Midding; Sarah Halbach; Rachel Würstlein; Christoph Kowalski; Nicole Ernstmann Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2021-12-10 Impact factor: 4.157