Worry about cancer progression and low perceived social support: implications for quality of life among early-stage breast cancer patients

Is fear of disease progression associated with antiretroviral therapy adherence in persons with HIV/AIDS?

We examined the mediating role of depression and anxiety on the relationship between fear of disease progression (FoP) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and the moderating role of social support in the FoP-depression/anxiety-ART adherence relationship in persons with HIV/AIDS (PWHA). 202 PWHA completed self-report measures. Simple mediation and moderated mediation analyses were performed. FoP was directly and negatively associated with ART adherence, and the mediating role of depression in this relationship was significant. Indirect effect of FoP mediated by anxiety on ART adherence was not significant. The moderating effect of social support was significant in the FoP-depression pathway, while the indirect effect of FoP on ART adherence mediated by depression was greatest at a higher level of social support and lower level of FoP. The results suggest the relevance of high FoP and depression-mediated FoP in ART adherence and social support may attenuate the negative impact of FoP.

Perceived and Received Social Support and Illness Acceptance Among Breast Cancer Patients: The Serial Mediation of Meaning-Making and Fear of Recurrence

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The literature indicates connections between social support and acceptance of a personal diagnosis of breast cancer, but these relationships are likely to be mediated due to numerous connections between social support and illness acceptance with meaning-making and fear of recurrence. We decided to investigate whether meaning-making and fear of recurrence serially mediated the relationship between perceived and received social support and illness acceptance.

METHODS

The current research examined 246 adult women patients with a breast cancer diagnosis who were undergoing radiotherapy/chemotherapy treatment in oncological hospitals. This cross-sectional study based on a mediational model was reported according to the STROBE checklist.

RESULTS

Our results supported the mediational model in which meaning-making and fear of recurrence serially mediated the relationship of both perceived and received social support with illness acceptance. Furthermore, the mediating power of meaning-making was more significant than the fear of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Meaning structures and anxiety played an important mediating role in breast cancer patients. Finding additional meaning and goals and experiencing lower fear enables the patients to effectively make use of social support and accept their illness.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The current study identified factors that increase illness acceptance among breast cancer patients as it showed that patients can gain a greater understanding of the nature of their illness by becoming more aware of their own goals and values and reduce anxiety by learning about their current state of the illness.

Relationship between social support and fear of cancer recurrence among Chinese cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

To quantitatively analyze the association between social support (SS) and fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) by reviewing current evidence from observational studies.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed in nine databases from inception to May 2022. Observational studies that used both SS and FCR as study variables were included. Regression coefficient (β') and correlation coefficient (r) were calculated with R software. Subgroup analysis was utilized to investigate the degree of the relationship between SS and FCR as well as the impact of various forms of SS on FCR in cancer patients.

Results

Thirty-seven studies involving 8,190 participants were identified. SS significantly reduced FCR risk [pooled β' = -0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.364 to -0.172], with moderate negative correlations (summary r = -0.52, 95% CI = -0.592 to -0.438). Meta-regression and subgroup analysis showed that types of cancer and study type were the source of heterogeneity. However, types of SS [actual SS, perceived social support (PSS), and others], source of actual SS, and source of PSS were not significant moderators.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively investigate the association between SS and FCR in Chinese cancer patients using β' and r coefficients. The results re-emphasized that social workers should enhance the use of SS by cancer patients and establish a sound SS system by either implementing more relevant research or developing targeted policies. Based on meta-regression and subgroup analyses, moderators of the association between SS and FCR should also be studied closely as they may help identify patients in need. In addition, longitudinal research, as well as mixed research, should be conducted to more comprehensively explore the relationship between SS and FCR.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42022332718.

Which type of fear of cancer progression contributes to the quality of life of Romanian cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Introduction

Fear of cancer progression (FoP) is one of the most frequently reported unmet needs invoked by the majority of cancer patients, which may significantly impair the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The major objective of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the specificities of the relationship between different dimensions and intensity of FoP and different aspects of patients' QoL during the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania.

Methods

A nationwide sample of 330 participants completed a survey, including measures of demographic characteristics, medical variables, QoL, and FoP. Multivariate General Linear and Hierarchical Regression Models were conducted in order to assess the relationship between variables.

Result

Our results indicate that less than a quarter of the sample experienced low, between 63 and 70% moderate, and 15% high levels of FoP. Our results also indicate that anxiety/worry related to the possibility of progression of the disease, and loss of independence produced significant differences with large effect sizes in all the dimensions of QoL.

Discussion

Our results indicate that besides affective reactions, the fear of cancer survivors to lose independence, not being able to attend to their own lives, seems to be a considerable threat, especially in the context of Romanian health system which has difficulties in offering qualitative psychosocial care for cancer patients. The idea that patients will have to rely on others and may not function well independently, not being able to attend to their own lives, seems to be a considerable threat, next to the experienced affective reactions per se.

How TikTok Is Being Used to Help Individuals Cope With Breast Cancer: Cross-sectional Content Analysis

BACKGROUND

Acknowledging the popularity of TikTok, how quickly medical information can spread, and how users seek support on social media, there is a clear lack of research on breast cancer conversations on TikTok. There is a paucity of information on how these videos can advocate for those impacted by breast cancer as a means to provide support and information as well as raise awareness.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this cross-sectional content analysis was to describe the content of videos from the hashtag #breastcancer on TikTok. Content related to breast cancer support and coping, cancer education, and heightening the awareness of breast cancer early detection, prevention, and treatment was evaluated.

METHODS

This study included 100 of the most viewed TikTok videos related to breast cancer through June 30, 2022. Videos were excluded if they were not in the English language or relevant to the topic being studied. Content was deductively coded into categories related to video characteristics and content topics using a screener based on expert breast cancer information sheets. Univariable analyses were conducted to evaluate differences in video characteristics and content when stratified as advocating or not advocating for breast cancer (yes or no) support, education, and awareness.

RESULTS

The cumulative number of views of the videos included in this study was 369,504,590. The majority (n=81, 81%) of videos were created by patients and loved ones of individuals with breast cancer, and the most commonly discussed topic was breast cancer support (n=88, 88%), followed by coping with the myriad issues surrounding breast cancer (n=79, 79%). Overall, <50% of the videos addressed important issues such as body image (n=48, 48%), surgery (n=46, 46%), medication and therapy (n=41, 41%), or the stigma associated with a breast cancer diagnosis (n=44, 44%); however, in videos that were advocacy oriented, body image (40/62, 64% vs 8/38, 21%; P<.001), stigma associated with breast cancer (33/62, 53% vs 11/38, 29%; P=.02), and breast cancer surgery (36/62, 58% vs 10/38, 26%; P=.002) were discussed significantly more often than in videos that did not specifically advocate for breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of videos to display health journeys can facilitate engagement by patients, family members, and loved ones interested in information about challenging conditions. Collectively, these findings highlight the level of peer-to-peer involvement on TikTok and may provide insights for designing breast cancer educational campaigns.

Social relationships and their associations with affective symptoms of women with breast cancer: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Problems in affective and cognitive functioning are among the most common concurrent symptoms that breast cancer patients report. Social relationships may provide some explanations of the clinical variability in affective-cognitive symptoms. Evidence suggests that social relationships (functional and structural aspects) can be associated with patients' affective-cognitive symptoms; however, such an association has not been well studied in the context of breast cancer.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this scoping review was to address the following question: What social relationships are associated with affective-cognitive symptoms of women with breast cancer?

METHODS

This scoping review used the framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley and PRISMA-Sc. Studies published by February 2022 were searched using four databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (Elsevier), PsycINFO (EBSCOhost), and Web of Science (Clarivate). All retrieved citations were independently screened and eligibility for inclusion was determined by study team members. Extracted data included research aims, design, sample, type and measures of social relationships (functional and structural), and the association between social relationships and affective-cognitive symptoms.

RESULTS

A total of 70 studies were included. Affective symptoms were positively associated with social support, family functioning, quality of relationships, social networks, and social integration, whereas the negative association was found with social constraints.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest positive social relationships may mitigate affective symptoms of women with breast cancer. Thus, health care providers need to educate patients about the importance of building solid social relationships and encourage them to participate in a supportive network of friends and family members.

At the heart of the COVID-19 crisis: Perceived concerns of changes in long-term cancer care in French women with cancer

Objective

In the COVID‐19 crisis context, the main objective of the study is to investigate factors associated with perceived concerns of change in long‐term cancer care in patients currently under treatment.

Methods

A French population‐based cross‐sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire in April 2020. All persons currently receiving cancer treatment and belonging to the Seintinelles Association (https://www.seintinelles.com) were included in this present analysis. Individual sociodemographic characteristics, medical status and information regarding cancer care were collected. Multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results

We included 298 women in the analysis. Younger participants (OR = 0.96 [0.94–0.99]), the need to visit healthcare facilities to receive treatment (OR = 2.93 [1.16–8.52]), deterioration in the quality of communication with the medical team since the beginning of the COVID‐19 crisis (OR = 3.24 [1.61–7.02]) and being cared for by a university hospital or a public hospital (OR = 2.19 [1.16–4.23] versus comprehensive cancer centre) were associated with a perceived fear of change in long‐term cancer care.

Conclusion

To address patients' concerns regarding changes in their long‐term cancer care, medical teams should consider the patients' own perceptions of the situation and provide clear, appropriate, precise information on cancer care, especially in the centres mostly affected by the COVID‐19 crisis.

Stigma and Quality of Life in Women With Breast Cancer: Mediation and Moderation Model of Social Support, Sense of Coherence, and Coping Strategies

Objectives

The breast cancer stigma affects Health-related quality of life (HRQoL), while general resilience resources (GRRs), namely, sense of coherence (SOC), social support, and coping skills, are thought to alleviate this effect. The study aimed to explore the mediating/moderation role of GRRs in the relationship between stigma and HRQoL and its dimensions in Iranian patients with breast cancer.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness 8-item version (SSCI-8), SOC-13, Medical Outcome Survey- Social Support Scale (MOS-SSS), Brief COPE, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) were investigated in a convenience sample of Iranian women with confirmed non-metastatic breast cancer. Following the establishment of correlations using Pearson's correlation, single and parallel mediation analysis and moderation analysis were conducted to determine the extent to which each GRR might be impacted by stigma or decrease the adverse impact of stigma on HRQoL.

Results

An analysis of 221 women (response rate of 87.5%) with the mean age of 47.14 (9.13) showed that stigma was negatively correlated to all HRQoL's dimensions (r = -0.27∼0.51, p < 0.05), SOC (r = -0.26∼0.35, p < 0.01), social support (r = -0.23∼0.30, p < 0.01), and the bulk of coping skills. In the single mediation analysis, stigma affected all facets of SOC, all subscales of social support, and positive reframing, which partially reduced breast cancer HRQoL. Stigma affects general HRQoL through damaging meaningfulness, social support (except for tangible), and positive reframing. Meaningfulness was marked as the most impacted GRR in terms of all domains of HRQoL. In parallel mediation, reduced meaningfulness, total social support, and positive reframing were highlighted as the pathways of diminished breast cancer HRQoL. Moderation analysis indicated the higher levels of humor, behavioral disengagement, and use of instrumental support behaviors to be functional in protecting different dimensions of HRQoL, while the results were mixed for venting, especially in patients with mastectomy surgery.

Conclusion

While GRRs may be impacted by stigma, they exert a relatively small protective effect against the impact of stigma on HRQoL. This study provides some novel findings, but longitudinal studies are needed to further verify these before any causal conclusion or recommendations for health policy can be drawn.

Association between aspects of social support and health-related quality of life domains among African American and White breast cancer survivors

PURPOSE

Social support is associated with breast cancer survivors' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). More nuanced information is needed regarding aspects of social support associated with different HRQoL domains among diverse populations. We assessed the association between emotional/informational and tangible support and five HRQoL domains and evaluated race as an effect modifier.

METHODS

African American and White women (n = 545) diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer completed a survey that assessed sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors. We assessed bivariate relationships between emotional/informational and tangible support along with overall HRQoL and each HRQoL domain.We tested interactions between race and emotional/informational and tangible social support using linear regression.

RESULTS

The sample included African American (29%) and White (71%) breast cancer survivors. Emotional/informational social support had a statistically significant positive association with emotional well-being (β = .08, p = 0.005), social well-being (β = 0.36, p < 0.001), functional well-being (β = .22, p < .001), breast cancer concerns (β = .16, p = 0.002), and overall HRQoL (β = .83, p < .001). Similarly, tangible social support had a statistically significant positive association with emotional well-being (β = .14, p = 0.004), social well-being (β = .51, p < .001), functional well-being (β = .39, p < .001), and overall HRQoL (β = 1.27, p < .001). The interactions between race and social support were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Results underscore the importance of the different social support types among breast cancer survivors, regardless of survivors' race.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Population-based interventions can be standardized and disseminated to provide guidance on how to increase emotional/information and tangible support for all breast cancer survivors by caregivers, health providers, and communities.

Health related quality of life in adult cancer survivors: Importance of social and emotional support

BACKGROUND

Adult cancer survivors (ACS) are at increased risk for developing various comorbid conditions and having poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) when compared to adults with no history of cancer. The effect of social and emotional support on HRQOL among ACS is not fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of social and emotional support on HRQOL in ACS and to examine if the association between social and emotional support and HRQOL is modified by gender, time since cancer diagnosis, or marital status.

METHODS

Data for this study were obtained from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Statistical analysis was based on ACS with complete data (n = 23,939) on all variables considered. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to model the association between social and emotional support and indicators of HRQOL (i.e., general health, physical health, mental health, and activity limitation). To examine if gender, marital status, or the number of years since cancer diagnosis modify the association, separate stratified analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

When compared to ACS who reported that they Rarely/Never received social and emotional support, those who reported that they Always received were 32 % less likely to report Fair/Poor General health, 23 % less likely to report frequent unhealthy days of Physical health, 73 % less likely to report frequent unhealthy days of Mental health and 38 % less likely to report frequent unhealthy days of Activity limitation. Social and emotional support was positively associated with all four domains of HRQOL among ACS who were female, unmarried, or greater than 5 years since cancer diagnosis, while this positive association was evident only with one or two domains of HRQOL among their corresponding counterparts (i.e., male, married, less than 5 years since diagnosis).

CONCLUSIONS

Social and emotional support is an important factor directly related to a better HRQOL, but it is modified by gender, marital status, and time since diagnosis. Findings from this study should inform health care providers about the importance of a support system for ACS in improving their overall quality of life.

The effect of fear of progression on quality of life among breast cancer patients: the mediating role of social support

Background

Women with breast cancer are prone to have mental stress and be stimulated by the fear of progression (FOP), then giving rise to a lower quality of life (QOL). The study aimed to examine the relationships between FOP, social support and QOL, and further explore whether social support mediates the association between FOP and QOL among Chinese patients with breast cancer.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2019 to May 2020 at Anshan Cancer Hospital in Liaoning, China. 244 female breast cancer patients completed questionnaires including the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Breast (FACT-B), Multi-Dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Fear of Progression (FOP). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the associations between FOP, social support and QOL. Asymptotic and resampling strategies were used to explore the mediating role of social support.

Results

The mean QOL score was 90.6 ± 17.0 among the patients with breast cancer. FOP was negatively correlated with QOL, while social support was positively related to QOL. Social support partly mediated the association between FOP and QOL, and the proportion of the mediating effect accounted for by social support was 25%.

Conclusions

Chinese breast cancer patients expressed low QOL. Social support could mediate the association between FOP and QOL. Medical staffs and cancer caregivers should alleviate patients’ FOP to improve their QOL by facilitating social support.

Longitudinal patterns in fear of cancer progression in patients with rare, advanced cancers undergoing comprehensive tumour genomic profiling

INTRODUCTION

Fear of cancer progression (FCP) impacts quality of life and is a prevalent unmet need in patients diagnosed with advanced cancer, particularly as treatment options are reduced. We aimed to identify longitudinal patterns in FCP over 6 months in patients with advanced cancer receiving comprehensive tumour genomic profiling (CTGP) results, and their correlates.

METHODS

Patients with pathologically confirmed metastatic disease (∼70% rare cancers) receiving or post their last line of standard therapy completed questionnaires at T0 (prior to CTGP), T1 (immediately post CTGP results) and T2 (2 months later).

RESULTS

High stable (N = 52; 7.3%) and low/moderate stable (N = 56; 7.8%) FCP patterns over time typified the largest participant groups (N = 721). Those with an immediately actionable variant versus a non-actionable variant (p = 0.045), with higher FCP (p < 0.001), and lower Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-being (FACIT-Sp) scores (p = 0.006) at T0, had higher FCP at T1. Those with higher FCP at T0 (p < 0.001) and at T1 (p < 0.001), lower FACIT-Sp scores at T1 (p = 0.001), lower education (p = 0.031) and female gender (p = 0.027) had higher FCP at T2.

DISCUSSION

Routine screening for psychological/spiritual characteristics in those about to undergo CTGP may help to identify patients who may benefit from closer monitoring and provision of psychosocial support. Future studies should explore interventions to best address FCP in this vulnerable group, as interventions assessed to date have almost all addressed patients with curative cancers or newly diagnosed advanced disease.

A pilot study of improved psychological distress with art therapy in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy

Background

Art therapy may improve the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of individuals for a variety of purposes. It remains understudied and underutilized in cancer care. We sought to determine the ability of a pilot art therapy program to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of cancer patients.

Methods

Chemotherapy-recipients, age 18 years and older, diagnosed with any type or stage of cancer, were considered eligible to participate in this single arm, pilot study, using four visual analog scales (VAS) with visually-similar, 0–10 scale (10 being worst) thermometers assessing: 1) pain, 2) emotional distress, 3) depression, and 4) anxiety. Participants were asked to complete all 4 metrics, pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 48–72 h follow-up, after an hour-long art therapy session. Primary endpoints included post-intervention changes from baseline in the 4 VAS metrics.

Results

Through a reasonable pilot sample (n = 50), 44% had breast cancer, 22% gastrointestinal cancers, 18% hematological malignancies, and 20% had other malignancies. A decrease in all VAS measures was noted immediately post-treatment but remained low only for pain and depression, not for emotional distress and anxiety upon follow up. There was a significant difference between the depression VAS scores of Hispanics (32%) compared to non-Hispanics (56%) (p = 0.009) at baseline. However, compared to non-Hispanics, Hispanics exhibited higher levels of depression after art therapy (P = 0.03) and during the follow-up intervals (p = 0.047).

Conclusion

Art therapy improved the emotional distress, depression, anxiety and pain among all cancer patients, at all time points. While depression scores were higher pre-intervention for Hispanic patients, Hispanic patients were noted to derive a greater improvement in depression scores from art therapy over time, compared to non-Hispanics patients. Discovering simple, effective, therapeutic interventions, to aid in distress relief in cancer patients, is important for ensuring clinical efficacy of treatment and improved quality of life.

Health anxiety and illness-related fears across diverse chronic illnesses: A systematic review on conceptualization, measurement, prevalence, course, and correlates

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic diseases commonly report fears of illness or symptoms recurring or worsening. These fears have been addressed from an illness-specific perspective (e.g., fear of cancer recurrence), a generic illness perspective (e.g., fear of progression), and a psychiatric perspective (DSM-5 illness anxiety disorder and somatic symptom disorder). The broader concept of health anxiety (HA) can also be applied to patients with a chronic disease. This review was conducted to investigate the conceptual, theoretical, measurement-overlap, and differences between these distinct perspectives. We also aimed to summarize prevalence, course, and correlates of these fears in different chronic illnesses.

METHODS

We used PsycINFO, PubMED, CINAHL, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and PSYNDEX to conduct a systematic review of studies pertaining to these fears in chronic illness published from January 1996 to October 2017. A total of 401 articles were retained.

RESULTS

There were commonalities across different conceptualizations and diseases: a high prevalence of clinical levels of fears (>20%), a stable course over time, and a deleterious impact on quality of life. Reviewed studies used definitions, models, and measures that were illness-specific, with only a minority employing a psychiatric perspective, limiting cross-disease generalizability. There appears to be some applicability of DSM-5 disorders to the experience of fear of illness/symptoms in patients with a chronic illness. While conceptualizing HA on a continuum ranging from mild and transient to severe may be appropriate, there is a lack of agreement about when the level of fear becomes 'excessive.' The definitions, models, and measures of HA across chronic illnesses involve affective, cognitive, behavioral, and perceptual features.

CONCLUSIONS

The concept of HA may offer a unifying conceptual perspective on the fears of illness/symptoms worsening or returning commonly experienced by those with chronic disease.

Worry about Breast Cancer Recurrence: A Population-based Analysis

As more patients with breast cancer survive treatment, the importance of their long-term quality of life is increasing. One important concern for many survivors is fear of recurrence. To better understand worry about recurrence, we conducted a population-based statistical analysis. The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is the largest annual source of health information for the U.S. population. We obtained data from the 2010 survey, which asked breast cancer survivors about their fear of recurrence and quality of life. Data were analyzed using SUDAAN software. The 2010 NHIS sample represented 2,668,697 breast cancer survivors. On univariate analysis, worry about recurrence was correlated with current age ( P = 0.03) and radiation therapy ( P = 0.04). Worry was strongly associated with perceived risk of recurrence ( P < 0.01) and decreased overall quality of life ( P < 0.01) as well as lower self-reported physical ( P < 0.01) and mental ( P < 0.01) health and poor satisfaction with social activities and relationships ( P < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, worry was not independently associated with decreased quality of life ( P = 0.09). However, those who “always worried” about recurrence had a lower quality of life (odds ratio, 0.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.01 to 0.45). Worry about recurrence among breast cancer survivors is associated with age and radiation therapy and is correlated with self-reported physical health, mental health, social relationships, and overall quality of life. It is a significant predictor of decreased quality of life in those who worry the most. Screening for worry about recurrence is an important measure for the improvement of quality of life among breast cancer survivors.

Quality of life and personal resilience in the first two years after breast cancer diagnosis: systematic integrative review

The aim of this systematic integrative review was to examine the early impacts of a breast cancer diagnosis (up to 2 years after diagnosis) in relation to quality of life and personal resilience. The bibliographic databases of Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection were searched using predetermined search criteria. Research studies published up to February 2019 were considered and following appraisal 36 articles were included in the review. Younger age, disease progression at first presentation, personality factors such as optimism, and moderators such as social support, clinical interventions and development of self-management abilities predicted better quality of life and personal resilience. Not recovering from the physical and psychological impacts of a new diagnosis has implications for future mental and physical health. This systematic, integrative review highlighted that building resilience and working with women's strengths should be the focus for contemporary clinical interventions for women in the early period after diagnosis of breast cancer.

Examining social support and its relation to worry in Malaysia

This study examined the role of social support in managing worry among a sample of Malaysian adults. An online questionnaire was completed by 136 participants (age M = 34, SD = 7.65; 71% female, 29% male). Each wrote open-ended, essay-type descriptions of their experiences with social support in relation to worry, as well as completing measures of pathological worry (Penn State Worry Questionnaire), normal worry (Worry Domains Questionnaire), and perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support). Results indicated that young adults experienced a higher degree of normal worry compared to older adults, but pathological worry was not significantly different between the two groups. No significant differences in worry were found in relation to gender, ethnicity or marital status. Perceived social support was negatively related to levels of both normal and pathological worry. Qualitative analyses pointed towards four important roles for social support: providing a sense of belonging and security, providing emotional relief or catharsis, helping to reappraise situations, and facilitating problem-solving and decision-making. The role of social support as a secure base that facilitates emotion management and helps to ground thinking is discussed.

A Partnership in Health-Related Social Media for Young Breast Cancer Survivors

In the United States, about 11% (26,393) of those diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 will be young or less than 45 years old. Young breast cancer survivors, compared to older cancer survivors, are a disparate group that experience higher incidence of advanced disease, greater mortality, and poorer quality of life, and are often faced with difficulty locating support that meet the unique needs of young women. The Gulf States Young Breast Cancer Survivor Network, composed of three sister networks, formed a partnership aimed at harnessing the power of social media to reach and impact the lives of young women with breast cancer. The collaborative partnership framework and the power of synergy are shown in merging two existing programs and incorporating a third new program.

Prevalence and Correlates of Worry About Medical Imaging Radiation Among United States Cancer Survivors

PURPOSE

Cancer survivors undergo lifelong surveillance regimens that involve repeated diagnostic medical imaging. As many of these diagnostic tests use ionizing radiation, which may modestly increase cancer risks, they may present a source of worry for survivors. The aims of this paper are to describe cancer survivors' level of worry about medical imaging radiation (MIR) and to identify patterns of MIR worry across subgroups defined by cancer type, other medical and demographic factors, and physician trust.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study used the 2012-2013 Health Information National Trends Survey of US adults conducted by the National Cancer Institute. The analysis focused on the 452 respondents identifying as cancer survivors. Weighted logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with higher MIR worry (reporting "some" or "a lot" of MIR worry).

RESULTS

Nearly half (42%) of the sample reported higher worry about MIR. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regressions indicated higher rates of MIR worry among those with lower incomes, those who self-reported poorer health, and those who completed cancer treatment within the past 10 years. Receipt of radiation treatment was associated with higher MIR worry in unadjusted analysis.

CONCLUSION

Worries about MIR are relatively common among cancer survivors. An accurate assessment of the rates and patterns of worry could aid efforts to improve these individuals' survivorship care and education.

Case management to increase quality of life after cancer treatment: a randomized controlled trial

Background

Case management has been shown to be beneficial in phases of cancer screening and treatment. After treatment is completed, patients experience a loss of support due to reduced contact with medical professionals. Case management has the potential to offer continuity of care and ease re-entry to normal life. We therefore aim to investigate the effect of case management on quality of life in early cancer survivors.

Methods

Between 06/2010 and 07/2012, we randomized 95 patients who had just completed cancer treatment in 11 cancer centres in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. Patients in the case management group met with a case manager at least three times over 12 months. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed after 3, 6 and 12 months using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-G) scale, the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) and the Self-Efficacy scale.

Results

The change in FACT-G over 12 months was significantly greater in the case management group than in the control group (16.2 (SE 2.0) vs. 9.2 (SE 1.5) points, P = 0.006). The PACIC score increased by 0.20 (SE 0.14) in the case management group and decreased by 0.29 (SE 0.12) points in the control group (P = 0.009). Self-Efficacy increased by 3.1 points (SE 0.9) in the case management group and by 0.7 (SE 0.8) points in the control group (P = 0.049).

Conclusions

Case management has the potential to improve quality of life, to ease re-entry to normal life and to address needs for continuity of care in early cancer survivors.

Trial registration

The study has been submitted to the ISRCTN register under the name “Case Management in Oncology Rehabilitation” on the 12th of October 2010 and retrospectively registered under the number ISRCTN41474586 on the 24th of November 2010.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-017-3213-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Predictors of persistent pain after breast cancer surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Persistent pain after breast cancer surgery affects up to 60% of patients. Early identification of those at higher risk could help inform optimal management. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to explore factors associated with persistent pain among women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer.

METHODS

We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases from inception to Mar. 12, 2015, to identify cohort or case-control studies that explored the association between risk factors and persistent pain (lasting ≥ 2 mo) after breast cancer surgery. We pooled estimates of association using random-effects models, when possible, for all independent variables reported by more than 1 study. We reported relative measures of association as pooled odds ratios (ORs) and absolute measures of association as the absolute risk increase.

RESULTS

Thirty studies, involving a total of 19 813 patients, reported the association of 77 independent variables with persistent pain. High-quality evidence showed increased odds of persistent pain with younger age (OR for every 10-yr decrement 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24-1.48), radiotherapy (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.16-1.57), axillary lymph node dissection (OR 2.41, 95% CI 1.73-3.35) and greater acute postoperative pain (OR for every 1 cm on a 10-cm visual analogue scale 1.16, 95% CI 1.03-1.30). Moderate-quality evidence suggested an association with the presence of preoperative pain (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.01-1.64). Given the 30% risk of pain in the absence of risk factors, the absolute risk increase corresponding to these ORs ranged from 3% (acute postoperative pain) to 21% (axillary lymph node dissection). High-quality evidence showed no association with body mass index, type of breast surgery, chemotherapy or endocrine therapy.

INTERPRETATION

Development of persistent pain after breast cancer surgery was associated with younger age, radiotherapy, axillary lymph node dissection, greater acute postoperative pain and preoperative pain. Axillary lymph node dissection provides the only high-yield target for a modifiable risk factor to prevent the development of persistent pain after breast cancer surgery.

An evaluation study of the determinants of future perspective and global Quality of Life in Spanish long-term premenopausal early-stage breast cancer survivors

Aim of the study

Quality of life (QL) is important in premenopausal long-term breast cancer survivors. In this study we assessed QL and factors associated with future perspective and global QL in premenopausal early-stage long-term breast cancer survivors from Spain.

Material and methods

243 premenopausal stage I-IIIA relapse-free breast cancer patients who had received surgery 5–20 years previously completed EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires once during follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

QL mean scores were high in most areas (> 80 in functioning; < 20 in symptoms). The main factors for future perspective were emotional and social functioning, fatigue, breast symptom, and body image. The main factors for global QL were fatigue, pain and physical functioning, and emotional and social functioning. The best logistic model to explain future perspective associated high emotional and social functioning and low breast symptoms with a lower risk of low future perspective (R² = 0.56). Higher scores in physical and emotional functioning and lower scores in fatigue were associated with a lower risk of low global QL (R² = 0.50).

Conclusions

Psychological, social, and physical factors were found to be possible determinants of global QL and future perspective. QL in premenopausal early-stage long-term breast cancer survivors may benefit from multidisciplinary treatment.

Empirical validation of the English version of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory

PURPOSE

Cancer patients report that help in managing fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of their greatest unmet needs. Research on FCR has been limited by the very few validated, multi-dimensional measures of this construct. One exception is the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI), originally developed and empirically validated in French. The present study validated the English version of the FCRI.

METHODS

The FCRI was translated into English using a forward-backward translation procedure and pilot-tested with 17 English-speaking cancer patients. Cross-cultural equivalency of the French and English versions was established by administering both forms to 42 bilingual cancer patients. Last, 350 English-speaking breast, colon, prostate, or lung cancer patients were asked to complete the FCRI. A subsample (n = 135) was mailed the FCRI again one month later to evaluate test-retest reliability.

RESULTS

The English translation of the FCRI was well accepted by participants. There was no item-bias when comparing bilingual participants' answers on both versions. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized seven-factor structure. The English version has high internal consistency (α = .96 for the total scale and .71-.94 for the subscales) and test-retest reliability (r = .88 for the total scale and 56-.87 for the subscales).

CONCLUSIONS

The English version of the FCRI is a reliable and valid measure of FCR applicable to breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancer patients. Its multi-dimensional nature makes it an attractive research and clinical tool to further our knowledge of FCR.

Exploring the relationship between fear of cancer recurrence and sleep quality in cancer survivors

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and sleep disturbance are identified as top psychosocial concerns in cancer survivorship, yet few studies have explored the association between these two factors. Using data from a study of 67 cancer survivors, hierarchical logistic regression models examined the relationships between socio-demographic characteristics, FCR, and sleep disturbance. More than half of survivors reported poor sleep quality; those with some college education and those with higher levels of FCR were at greater risk for poor sleep. These findings provide formative data for oncology social workers to implement interventions that target FCR as a strategy for improving sleep.

A closer look at unmet needs at the end of primary treatment for breast cancer: a longitudinal pilot study

This study describes the nature of unmet needs (UN) as women with breast cancer transition from "patient" to "survivor." Data are from a longitudinal study of 90 women with stage I-III breast cancer. Data were collected 2-3 weeks before, and 10 weeks after, completion of radiation. A modified Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs (CaSUN) instrument measured UN. Most participants reported ≥1 unmet need at baseline (80.00%) and follow-up (69.31%), with UN across physical, healthcare, information, psychosocial, and survivorship domains. Total number of UN declined over time, t(87) = 3.00, p < .01. UN likely to persist from baseline to follow-up involved cancer recurrence concerns, stress management, household responsibilities, and others not acknowledging/understanding cancer. Younger women (p = .01) and those with more severe (p < .01), life-interfering (p = .01) symptoms had greater burden of UN. This study highlights the dynamics of UN in the weeks before and after primary treatment. Future studies should identify long-term consequences of persistent UN.

Impaired health-related quality of life in acute myeloid leukemia survivors: a single-center study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by comparing the HRQOL of AML survivors with the HRQOL in the general population.

METHODS

Two HRQOL questionnaires (EQ-5D and QLQ-C30) were sent to patients diagnosed with AML between 1999 and 2011 at a single academic hospital and still alive in 2012. HRQOL in AML survivors was compared with general population reference values. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with HRQOL in AML survivors.

RESULTS

Questionnaires were returned by 92 of the 103 patients (89%). AML survivors reported significantly worse functioning, more fatigue, pain, dyspnea, appetite loss, and financial difficulties and lower EQ-VAS scores than the general population (P < 0.05). Impaired HRQOL in AML survivors was mainly found in survivors without a paid job. Other factors associated with a poor HRQOL were allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the absence of social support.

CONCLUSION

This single-center study showed that the HRQOL in AML survivors is worse than the HRQOL in the general population. HRQOL in these patients can be improved by adequately treating and preventing fatigue, pain, dyspnea, and appetite loss.

Emotional well-being years post-treatment for breast cancer: prospective, multi-ethnic, and population-based analysis

PURPOSE

This study investigated factors associated with declines in emotional well-being (EWB) over time in breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

Women with breast cancer (Stages I-III) residing in Los Angeles, CA, or Detroit, MI, and reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries between June 2005 and February 2007 completed surveys at 9 months and 4 years after diagnosis. EWB was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Breast. Using a stress coping framework, logistic regression models assessed associations between personal, social, and clinical correlates, appraisal (e.g., worry about recurrence) and coping factors (e.g., emotional support) to EWB declines.

RESULTS

Among eligible women who completed primary breast cancer treatment, 772 completed both surveys, and 192 (24.9 %) experienced EWB declines over time. Women with past or current depression were more likely to report EWB decline (p < 0.01). Survivors who perceived they did not receive enough information about risk of breast cancer recurrence during primary treatment were more likely to have EWB decline (OR 0.53, 95 % CI 0.32-0.87). Greater perceived likelihood of recurrence (OR 1.95, 95 % CI 1.01-5.29) and increased worry about recurrence (OR 1.38, 95 % CI 1.10-1.72) were associated with EWB decline. Higher spirituality beliefs and practices were associated with EWB decline.

CONCLUSIONS

A considerable number of breast cancer patients report emotional well-being declines over time. Early identification of women who are vulnerable, such as women with past depression, is crucial to improve quality of care. Women would benefit from education about cancer recurrence and tailored strategies to manage worry about recurrence over time.

IMPLICATION FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Understanding actual risk of recurrence and managing worry about recurrence is important for cancer survivors. Emotional concerns are common for individuals with cancer so survivors should feel free to reach out and discuss such concerns with providers well into the survivorship period.