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Cited by 23Cancer survivorship and careChildhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of LifeWomen's cancer prevention and management

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

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Zhang, Xu, Sun, Di, Wang, Zhiwen, Qin, Nan·2022·Current Oncology
DOI 10.3390/curroncol29120746PMC PMC9776860
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Abstract

Background: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) has been demonstrated to be one of the most frequently reported unmet psychological needs among cancer survivors. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the potential triggers and coping strategies for FCR in Chinese cancer survivors. Methods: The study process was conducted using an interpretive phenomenological research method, and Chinese cancer survivors were interviewed face-to-face in a semi-structured interview, using purposive sampling combined with a maximum variance sampling strategy, and the interviews were transcribed, organized, and analyzed by applying Giorgi analysis with the help of NVivo11 software. Results: A total of 10 participants, 4 males and 6 females, were interviewed. Three themes emerged in terms of potential triggers for FCR: (1) intrusive thoughts; (2) disease symptoms; and (3) awaiting medical examination. Two themes regarding positive coping and avoidance coping emerged with regard to coping strategies adopted by cancer survivors when experiencing FCR. Under these 2 themes were 5 sub-themes: (1) seeking medical support; (2) self-health management; (3) spiritual coping; (4) unaccompanied toleration; and (5) attention shifting. Conclusion: FCR as the most common psychological problem for cancer survivors, and it should be given more attention. Early identification and precise intervention for potential triggers of FCR may prevent the emergence and development of FCR. The guidance toward and cultivation of positive coping strategies when cancer survivors experience FCR could be an important direction in future nursing education.

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  • Excessive fear of cancer recurrence is associated with adverse health outcomes including psychological distress, depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and impaired quality of life.

    “Excessive levels of FCR can be highly debilitating and are associated with several adverse health outcomes, including psychological distress, depression, anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and overall impaired quality of life. 3-6”

    From ConquerFear-Group: A randomized controlled trial of an online-delivered group-based psychological intervention for fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors (2023) · cites this paper as [3]

    The Introduction reports that FCR may be strongly associated with anxiety, depression, increased fatigue, and reduced well-being and quality of life. The Discussion also describes possible psychological maladjustment, but our copy does not link FCR to sleep disturbances. The full list of outcomes in the citing sentence is therefore not supported by this source. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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References 22 · Cited by 23

Research works printed but not linked: 18

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Authors
Zhang, X., Sun, D., Wang, Z., & Qin, N.
Affiliations
  • Peking University (CN)
  • Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CN)
  • China Medical University (CN)
Corresponding author
Wang, Zhiwen
ORCID
Venue
Current Oncology
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2022-12-03
Volume
29
Issue
12
Pages
9501-9510
ISSN
  • 1198-0052 (ISSN-L)
  • 1718-7729
DOI
10.3390/curroncol29120746
PMC
PMC9776860
OpenAlex
W4310692029
Cited by
23
References
22
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5
FWCI
1.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Current Oncology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Women's cancer prevention and management
Keywords
fear of cancer recurrence, cancer survivors, coping strategies, intrusive thoughts, disease symptoms, avoidance coping, positive coping, spiritual coping, attentional shift, health self-management, psychological needs
MeSH terms
Cancer Survivors, Adaptation, Psychological, Fear, Female, Humans, Male, Neoplasm Recurrence, Local, Qualitative Research

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