Research finds breast cancer survivors enter a battle with fear of recurrence after becoming cancer-free

Breast cancer survivors often experience a debilitating fear of recurrence after becoming cancer-free, a new study has found. Researchers from the Regenstrief Institute in the United States surveyed 347 women in breast cancer remission in a bid to find out how often survivors experience psychological distress and its impact on quality of life post-treatment. Three in four women reported a severe fear of recurrence, describing it as persistent, debilitating or easily triggered across multiple aspects of life including emotional, behavioural, cognitive, relational and professional domains. Mild fear manifested as disturbed sleep prior to mammograms, whereas a severe fear of recurrence could range from a frequent need to remove themselves from social activities to getting into bed and pulling the blanket over their eyes to avoid thinking about cancer. Senior author Dr Shelley Johns, a researcher-clinician with the Regenstrief Institute, the Indiana University School of Medicine and the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, said participants in the study were “trying to rebuild their lives during their post-treatment survivorship”. It represents a significant psychosocial challenge for survivors as many suffer without adequate means of coping. “Our findings provide clarity about how breast cancer survivors are impacted by fear of recurrence and insight into how they cope with this understandable fear,” Dr Johns said. Despite these feelings, the majority of participants said they sought senses of purpose, belonging, control and connection with others to cope. The researchers said understanding the effects of this fear and current coping strategies could inform the development of evidence-based interventions to effectively address fear of recurrence.