A qualitative exploration of fear of cancer recurrence in Turkish cancer survivors who were referred for colposcopy

Abstract

2013, 2016) and has been identified by cancer survivors as one of their major problems (Simard et al., 2013). FCR is a natural response to a cancer diagnosis and experienced on a continuum from none to severe (Cruickshank et al., 2020;Waldrop et al., 2011). The current literature suggests that FCR is associated with female gender, younger age, a higher educational background, not having a partner, having at least one child or being socially isolated, psychological distress and lower quality of life, as well as having more (and more severe) physical symptoms and less emotional well-being (Byrom et al., 2002;Lebel et al., 2013;Simard & Savard, 2009). Having recurrent and long-lasting images or thoughts about cancer or death and believing cancer will return can lead to feelings of anxiety about the future (Handelzalts et al., 2015).Population-and hospital-based studies suggest that the risk of a second cancer among women with a history of breast and cervical cancer is higher than the cancer risk in the general population

The intrapersonal and interpersonal processes of fear of recurrence among cervical cancer survivors: a qualitative study

“…Only one quantitative study has been conducted to date regarding the meaning of FCR among cervical cancer survivors [ 5 ], which revealed as the three greatest fears reported by participants: what would happen to their family; pain; and disease progression (items from the Fear of Progression Questionnaire [ 10 ]). Owing to the paucity of studies regarding the meaning of FCR among cervical cancer survivors, we undertook the invitation [ 11 ] to conduct a qualitative study to gain a deeper understanding of FCR among cervical cancer survivors. A better understanding of FCR in cervical cancer survivors can help clinicians manage this problem effectively.…”

Fear of Progression and Resilience as Mediators of the Association between Family Function and Quality of Life among Patients with Cervical Cancer

“…At present, many researchers have carried out relevant research on the FoP of CC patients, and previous results show that the incidence of FoP psychological dysfunction in CC patients is high in China [50]. It may be because the treatment process is painful, the treatment cycle is long, and the prognosis is poor in patients with cervical cancer, and surgery or other relevant treatments of cervical cancer may change patients' sexual function, which afects the relationship between the husband and wife, increasing the level of FoP in CC patients [51], and seriously afecting personal life and work. Fear bringing a burden to the family, fear of pain, and fear of disease progression are the 3 greatest fears in patients with cervical cancer [52].…”

Familial aspects of fear of cancer recurrence: current insights and knowledge gaps

“…Some quantitative and qualitative studies on samples from various cultures, cancer types, and ages have identified “worry about family” as one of the top fears underlying FCR ( Aghdam et al, 2014 ; Thewes et al, 2016 ; Hanprasertpong et al, 2017 ; Götze et al, 2019 ; Uner and Korukcu, 2021 ). Further, Uner and Korukcu (2021) have found the basis for fear of death to be fear of leaving their loved ones alone among young Turkish CSs suspected of new cancer.…”

“…Some quantitative and qualitative studies on samples from various cultures, cancer types, and ages have identified “worry about family” as one of the top fears underlying FCR ( Aghdam et al, 2014 ; Thewes et al, 2016 ; Hanprasertpong et al, 2017 ; Götze et al, 2019 ; Uner and Korukcu, 2021 ). Further, Uner and Korukcu (2021) have found the basis for fear of death to be fear of leaving their loved ones alone among young Turkish CSs suspected of new cancer. Considering this finding, it could be estimated that some CSs’ worry for their families is manifested in items or themes other than “fear of family being affected by cancer,” and family has even greater importance in their mind than the results that research shows.…”