Fear of cancer recurrence significantly impacts advanced cancer patients, prompting emotional distress and increased healthcare utilization. This present study aims to analyze the fear of recurrence among patients with advanced cancer undergoing systemic treatment and its relationship with sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 oncology departments across Spain, involving patients with locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic cancer eligible for systemic treatment. Participants provided demographic information and completed instruments such as the Cancer Worry Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, and the Duke–UNC-11 Functional Social Support Questionnaire (DUFSSQ). A total of 1195 participants participated: median age 66, 56% male, mostly metastatic cancers (80%), and common tumor sites. Two fear groups emerged: 28% low and 72% high levels of fear. High fear was associated with being female, being younger, lower levels of education, and worse survival estimates. High fear correlated with more depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, uncertainty, and stronger social support. Multivariate analyses indicated that younger patients, those with shorter survival estimates, higher depression and anxiety scores, more uncertainty, and stronger social support had a greater likelihood of experiencing fear of recurrence, while the opposite was true for older patients. This study underscores distinct fear of recurrence profiles in advanced cancer patients, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and support. Future research should delve deeper into understanding their repercussions for improving patient care and well-being.
对癌症复发的恐惧显著影响晚期癌症患者，常引发情绪困扰并增加医疗资源使用。本研究旨在分析接受系统治疗的晚期癌症患者对复发的恐惧及其与社会人口学、临床和心理因素的关系。我们在西班牙15个肿瘤科开展了一项多中心横断面研究，纳入符合系统治疗条件的局部晚期、不可切除或转移性癌症患者。参与者提供人口统计学信息，并完成癌症忧虑量表、简明症状量表、米歇尔疾病不确定感量表及杜克-UNC-11功能性社会支持问卷等评估工具。共1195名参与者纳入分析：中位年龄66岁，男性占56%，以转移性癌症为主（80%），常见肿瘤部位分布典型。研究识别出两种恐惧水平分组：28%为低恐惧组，72%为高恐惧组。高恐惧水平与女性、年龄较轻、教育程度较低及较差生存预期相关。高恐惧组表现出更严重的抑郁、焦虑、躯体症状、疾病不确定感及更强的社会支持。多变量分析显示，年龄较轻、生存预期较短、抑郁焦虑评分较高、疾病不确定感较强及社会支持较强的患者更易出现复发恐惧，而年长患者则呈现相反趋势。本研究揭示了晚期癌症患者复发恐惧的差异化特征，强调需要针对性干预和支持。未来研究应深入探讨其对改善患者照护与生存质量的影响。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家