Journal article
Psychological morbidity and stress but not social factors influence level of fear of cancer recurrence in young women with early breast cancer: results of a cross-sectional study
B Thewes, ML Bell, P Butow, J Beith, F Boyle, M Friedlander, SA McLachlan
Psycho-Oncology | WILEY | Published : 2013
DOI: 10.1002/pon.3348
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common problem amongst survivors. Past research has shown that young women with breast cancer are particularly vulnerable to FCR, yet few previous studies have specifically examined FCR in this subgroup. AIMS: The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between FCR, psychological morbidity and social factors. A secondary aim was to explore the relationship between clinical levels of FCR and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and hypochondriasis. METHOD: Two hundred eighteen breast cancer survivors (aged 18-45 years at diagnosis) diagnosed at least 1 year prior were recruited through seven metropolitan oncology clinics and two breast ca..
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Funding Acknowledgements
B. Thewes was supported by a National Breast Cancer Post-doctoral Research Fellowship. P. Butow was supported by a NH&MRC Research Fellowship Award. The authors wish to thank the women who participated and acknowledge the assistance of Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and the Young Breast Cancer Action Group of NSW who assisted with this recruitment of participants for this study. Members of the FCR Study Advisory Committee included Dr Michael Cavanagh (School of Psychology, University of Sydney), Dr Maree Abbott (School of Psychology, University of Sydney) and Ms Felicity Brazel (Young Breast Cancer Action Group).