Fear of cancer recurrence as a pathway from fatigue to psychological distress in mothers who are breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Fatigue is prevalent and pervasive among breast cancer survivors. Mothers are particularly susceptible to fatigue due to the ongoing demands of their caring role. While fatigue has been associated with psychological distress in prior research, the pathway by which fatigue translates into psychological distress is unclear. Given the theoretical and empirical links between fatigue, fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and psychological distress, the role of FCR in mediating the relationship between fatigue and psychological distress in mothers who are breast cancer survivors was investigated. Ninety-two mothers who were breast cancer survivors completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, PRO..