What is the prevalence of fear of cancer recurrence in cancer survivors and patients? A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis

Y.L. Luigjes-Huizer*, N.M. Tauber, G. Humphris, N.A. Kasparian, W.W.T. Lam, S. Lebel, S. Simard, A.B. Smith, R. Zachariae, Y. Afiyanti, K.J.L. Bell, J.A.E. Custers, N.J. de Wit, P.L. Fischer, J. Galica, S.N. Garland, C.W. Helsper, M.M. Jeppesen, J. Liu, R. MititeluE.M. Monninkhof, L. Russell, J. Savard, A.E.M. Speckens, S.J. van Helmondt, S. Vatandoust, N. Zdenkowski, M.L. van der Lee

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

140 Citations (Scopus)
166 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objective
Care for fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is considered the most common unmet need among cancer survivors. Yet the prevalence of FCR and predisposing factors remain inconclusive. To support targeted care, we provide a comprehensive overview of the prevalence and severity of FCR among cancer survivors and patients, as measured using the short form of the validated Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI-SF). We also report on associations between FCR and clinical and demographic characteristics.

Methods
This is a systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis on the prevalence of FCR. In the review, we included all studies that used the FCRI-SF with adult (≥18 years) cancer survivors and patients. Date of search: 7 February 2020. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool.

Results
IPD were requested from 87 unique studies and provided for 46 studies comprising 11,226 participants from 13 countries. 9311 respondents were included for the main analyses. On the FCRI-SF (range 0–36), 58.8% of respondents scored ≥13, 45.1% scored ≥16 and 19.2% scored ≥22. FCR decreased with age and women reported more FCR than men. FCR was found across cancer types and continents and for all time periods since cancer diagnosis.

Conclusions
FCR affects a considerable number of cancer survivors and patients. It is therefore important that healthcare providers discuss this issue with their patients and provide treatment when needed. Further research is needed to investigate how best to prevent and treat FCR and to identify other factors associated with FCR.

The protocol was prospectively registered (PROSPERO CRD42020142185).
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)879-892
JournalPsycho-Oncology: Journal of the psychological, social and behavioral dimensions of cancer
Volume31
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2022

Keywords

  • BREAST-CANCER
  • CLINICAL-LEVELS
  • COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY
  • FEASIBILITY
  • INVENTORY
  • MELANOMA
  • PROGRESSION
  • QUALITY-OF-LIFE
  • VALIDATION
  • VERSION
  • cancer
  • correlates
  • fear of recurrence
  • oncology
  • prevalence

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'What is the prevalence of fear of cancer recurrence in cancer survivors and patients? A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this