Prevalence and correlates of high fear of cancer recurrence in late adolescents and young adults consulting a specialist adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer service.
Date
2018-05-01ICR Author
Author
Thewes, B
Kaal, SEJ
Custers, JAE
Manten-Horst, E
Jansen, R
Servaes, P
van der Graaf, WTA
Prins, JB
Husson, O
Type
Journal Article
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
OBJECTIVE: High fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a frequently reported problem among cancer patients. Previous research has shown that younger age is associated with higher levels of FCR. However, little attention has been given to date about how FCR manifests itself among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients. This study explores the prevalence, correlates of high FCR, and its association with HRQoL in cancer patients in their late adolescence or young adulthood. METHODS: Seventy-three AYA cancer patients, aged 18-35 years at diagnosis, consulted the AYA team of the Radboud University Medical Center completed questionnaires including the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS), Quality of Life-Cancer Survivors (QOL-CS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Sociodemographic and medical data was collected by self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-five participants experienced high FCR (62%), which was higher than the 31-52% reported in previous studies among mixed adult cancer patient samples. Sociodemographic and medical variables were not associated with levels of FCR. High FCR was significantly associated with lower levels of social and psychological functioning and overall HRQoL and higher levels of anxiety and psychological distress. CONCLUSION: Results illustrate that FCR is a significant problem among AYA cancer patients consulting an AYA team, with participants reporting higher levels of FCR than cancer patients of mixed ages. Health care providers should pay specific attention to this problem by screening and the provision of appropriate psychosocial care when needed.
Collections
Subject
Humans
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
Prevalence
Anxiety
Fear
Anxiety Disorders
Phobic Disorders
Quality of Life
Adolescent
Adult
Middle Aged
Referral and Consultation
Female
Male
Young Adult
Specialization
Cancer Survivors
Research team
Clinical and Translational Sarcoma
Language
eng
Date accepted
2017-11-13
License start date
2018-05
Citation
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2018, 26 (5), pp. 1479 - 1487
Publisher
SPRINGER