A new study led by Concordia University researchers has revealed that one-third of adult survivors of childhood cancer experience severe fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), significantly impacting their daily lives. Published in JAMA Network Open, the study involved 229 survivors, finding that 16.6% reported clinically significant FCR, while another 15.7% experienced high FCR.
The study’s lead author, Alex Pizzo, a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. student, emphasized the limited research available on FCR in childhood cancer survivors, noting the lack of reliable tools to measure this fear in this population. “Some level of fear is normal,” said co-author Nicole Alberts, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology, “but evidence on when it becomes distressing or disrupts work, school, or relationships is scarce.”
Long-Lasting Fears Even Decades After Treatment
The data was gathered from survivors treated between 1970 and 1999 as part of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Most participants were decades past their final treatment, yet their fear of recurrence persisted. The study used a series of questionnaires to assess their FCR levels, along with anxiety, depression, self-perceived health, and chronic pain.
Key findings show that survivors who were unemployed or had lower levels of education were more likely to report high FCR. Additionally, those with neurological conditions, those who had pelvic radiation or limb surgeries, and those experiencing depression or anxiety were at a higher risk of clinically significant FCR.
Alberts highlighted the need for more focused psychological care for survivors, suggesting that brief screenings during medical consultations could help identify those in need of further support. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based interventions could help address FCR in this unique population.
Understanding whether survivors fear the return of their original cancer, new cancers, or late effects of treatment could provide valuable insights into planning their long-term care, Pizzo concluded.
