Can Physical Activity and Healthy Diet Help Long-Term Cancer Survivors Manage Their Fear of Recurrence?

Abstract

Objective: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) adversely affects quality of life, but health behaviors such as physical activity (PA) and fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) may help alleviate FCR for some survivors. This cross-sectional study tested the common-sense model (CSM) of FCR by investigating associations between constructs from the CSM (perceived illness consequences, control over health, and timeline), and survivors’ health behaviors, health self-efficacy, and FCR.Methods: Using wave 3 data from the American Cancer Society Longitudinal Study of Cancer Survivorship-I, path analyses were conducted among mixed-cancer participants (N = 2,337) who were on average 8.8 mean years post-diagnosis.Results: A final good fitting model [χ2 (5, N = 2,337) = 38.12, p < 0.001; SRMR = 0.02; CFI = 0.99; RMSEA = 0.05] indicated that perceiving fewer illness consequences, and greater control over one’s health, were directly associated with higher PA (β = 0.15 and −0.24, p < 0.01, respectively) and higher health self-efficacy (β = 0.24, −0.38, p < 0.01, respectively). Timeline (i.e., perceiving cancer as chronic) was directly associated with lower health self-efficacy (β = −0.15, p < 0.01) and higher FCR (β = 0.51, p < 0.01). Both greater PA and FVI were directly associated with higher health self-efficacy (β = 0.10 and 0.11, p < 0.01, respectively) which in turn showed a direct association with lower FCR (β = −0.15, p < 0.01).Conclusion: Increasing survivors’ sense of control over health, decreasing perceived chronicity of the illness, and mitigating its consequences may increase their health behaviors and health self-efficacy, which in turn could decrease their FCR. Longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Fear of Cancer Recurrence and Coping Strategies among Prostate Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study

“…Although the positive effects of making lifestyle changes to prevent cancer progression or recurrence in cancer survivors have become more apparent, there is limited knowledge of how these behaviors affect FCR. We only found a study that indicated a direct relationship between applying physical activity and a healthy diet and the reduction of FCR among cancer survivors [43]. Although the participants in the present study were actively performing follow-up tests and appointments, as well as seeking information to prevent cancer recurrence, they stated that they did not receive any information about the fear of recurrence or prevention of cancer recurrence.…”

Protective Factors against Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Breast Cancer Patients: A Latent Growth Model

“…The results of this study stress the significance of the beliefs of patients in their ability to influence their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors [ 37 ], specifically regarding coping with BC and its requirements, such that coping self-efficacy promotes a perception of competence to manage the illness [ 37 ], provides a higher sense of control [ 68 , 69 ], and ameliorates cancer-related stress [ 68 , 70 ]. Therefore, a higher coping self-efficacy can lead to a lower FCR [ 18 , 71 , 72 , 73 ].…”

Factors Associated with Dietary Habit Changes in Korean Stomach Cancer Survivors after Cancer Treatment

“…A balanced and healthy diet has been shown to be beneficial in relieving cancer survivors’ FCR [ 53 ]. In our study, SCSs with a higher fear of cancer recurrence, anxiety, and depression were more likely to change their dietary intake in a healthier direction.…”