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Fear of cancer recurrence in young women with a history of early-stage breast cancer: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and association with health behaviours

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Abstract

Purpose

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is common and associated with younger age. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and correlates of FCR amongst younger survivors of early breast cancer.

Subjects

A total of 218 women aged 18–45 were diagnosed with stage 0–2 breast cancer at least 1 year earlier.

Methods

The participants completed a web-based survey including a validated measure of FCR and items exploring medical surveillance practices and health care use.

Results

A total of 70% of participants reported clinical levels of FCR. Higher FCR was associated with higher frequency of unscheduled visits to the GP, higher frequency of breast self-examination and other forms of self-examination for cancer, not having mammograms or ultrasounds or other forms of cancer screening in the past year, more complementary therapy use and the use of counselling and support groups.

Conclusions

Young women with breast cancer are particularly vulnerable to FCR. The present study provides preliminary evidence that FCR is associated with higher health costs and lower surveillance rates which may compromise health outcomes. Routine screening for FCR in follow-up care is recommended.

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Acknowledgements

B. Thewes was supported by a National Breast Cancer Post-doctoral Research Fellowship. P. Butow was supported by a NH&MRC Research Fellowship Award. The authors wish to thank the women who participated and acknowledge the assistance of Breast Cancer Network Australia and the Young Breast Cancer Action Group of NSW who assisted with the recruitment of participants for this study. The study sponsors had no role in the design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the manuscript and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Conflicts of interest

The authors have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organisations that could bias their involvement in this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-Based Decision Making, School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Brennan McCallum A18, Sydney, Australia

    B. Thewes & P. Butow

  2. Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group (PoCOG), School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    M. L. Bell

  3. Department of Medical Oncology, Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia

    J. Beith

  4. Medical Oncology Department, The Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australia

    R. Stuart-Harris

  5. Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia

    M. Grossi

  6. Department of Radiation Oncology, Calvary Mater, Newcastle, Australia

    A. Capp

  7. Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, Australia

    D. Dalley

Authors
  1. B. Thewes
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  2. P. Butow
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  3. M. L. Bell
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  4. J. Beith
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  5. R. Stuart-Harris
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  6. M. Grossi
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  7. A. Capp
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  8. D. Dalley
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Consortia

the FCR Study Advisory Committee

Corresponding author

Correspondence to B. Thewes.

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Thewes, B., Butow, P., Bell, M.L. et al. Fear of cancer recurrence in young women with a history of early-stage breast cancer: a cross-sectional study of prevalence and association with health behaviours. Support Care Cancer 20, 2651–2659 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1371-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1371-x

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