Fear of cancer recurrence mediates the association between symptom burden and readiness for return to work in patients with lung cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Readiness for return to work (RRTW) is a critical stage in the return-to-work process and deserves significant attention. Researchers have found that RRTW is related to symptom burden and fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). This study aimed to (1) describe RRTW among lung cancer patients, (2) examine the relationships among symptom burden, FCR, and RRTW, and (3) explore the mediating role of FCR between symptom burden and RRTW.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 208 lung cancer patients from February 2023 to May 2025 at a tertiary hospital in China. The RRTW Scale, the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Chinese Version (MDASI-C) and the MDASI Lung Cancer-Specific Module (MDAS-LC) were used.

Res

SUBMITTER: Guan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12702400 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature