Fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors in Singapore.

Rathi Mahendran; Jianlin Liu; Sangita Kuparasundram; Sebastian Simard; Yiong Huak Chan; Ee Heok Kua; Konstadina Griva

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Fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors in Singapore.

Author: Rathi MAHENDRAN ¹ ; Jianlin LIU ¹ ; Sangita KUPARASUNDRAM ² ; Sebastian SIMARD ³ ; Yiong Huak CHAN ⁴ ; Ee Heok KUA ¹ ; Konstadina GRIVA ⁵
Author Information

1. Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
2. Ministry of Health Holdings, Singapore.
3. Health Science Department, Université du Quebec a Chicoutimi (UQAC), Quebec, Canada.
4. Biostatistics Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
5. Department of Health Psychology and Behavioural Medicine, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: cancer survivors in Singapore; fear of cancer recurrence
From:Singapore medical journal 2021;62(6):305-310
CountrySingapore
Language:English
Abstract: INTRODUCTION:Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) among cancer survivors is a persistent and distressing psychosocial concern that affects recovery and quality of life. The prevalence of FCR in Singapore is unknown. This cross-sectional study was designed to examine FCR and identify factors associated with FCR in mixed-cancer survivors locally.
METHODS:Cancer survivors in remission (n = 404) were assessed for: FCR using the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI); emotional distress using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; and quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. Clinical and severe/pathological FCR was determined based on the severity scale of FCRI, known as FCRI-Short Form. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine factors associated with FCR.
RESULTS:The mean score on the FCRI was 59.5 ± 30.4. 43.6% of cancer survivors had clinical FCR and 32.1% had severe/pathological FCR. Younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.952, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.911-0.995, p < 0.05), higher educational status (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.15-5.65, p < 0.05) and higher levels of emotional distress (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.10-1.24, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with severe/pathological levels of FCR.
CONCLUSION:The present study is the first to determine levels of FCR among cancer survivors in Singapore. While the total FCR scores were similar to those of international studies, severe/pathological levels of FCR were found to be four times higher. These findings highlight a problem that is not widely recognised or acknowledged, but which deserves greater attention.