Are fear of cancer recurrence and fear of progression equivalent constructs?

ABSTRACT:

Background

The predominant definition of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) conflates FCR with fear of progression (FOP). However, this assumption has never been tested. Importantly, if FCR and FOP are distinct and have different predictors, existing interventions for FCR may not be equally effective for survivors who fear progression rather than recurrence of their disease. The present study aimed to determine whether FCR and FOP are empirically equivalent; and whether they are predicted by the same theoretically derived variables.

Methods

Three hundred and eleven adults with a history of breast or ovarian cancer were analysed (n = 209, 67% in remission). Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the items of the FCR Inventory severity subscale and short-form FOP Questionna

SUBMITTER: Coutts-Bain D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9545421 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature