Abstract 218P
Background
Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) commonly impacts cancer survivors post-treatment. Defined as the “fear, worry, or concern relating to the possibility that cancer will come back or progress” some survivors experience it as a sword of Damocles hanging over them. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in post-menopausal women five years after diagnosis of a good-prognosis breast cancer (BC).
Methods
Using data from the VICAN-5 survey, conducted in 2015-2016 among a national representative French sample of cancer survivors, we included women with non-metastatic BC, aged 55 years or more at diagnosis, who experienced no disease progression in the five years post-diagnosis. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with FCR, characterised using a three-level indicator: no, mild, and moderate/severe FCR.
Results
Among the 382 women included, mean age was 66 years at diagnosis. Five years after diagnosis, 34.8% reported mild FCR and 14.2% moderate/severe FCR. A total of 38% of women were still receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) and 27% were no longer on AET. Two-third of women consulted a general practitioner (GP) for the management of their BC. Moderate cancer-related sequelae, anxiety, and severe physical performance decrease were associated with mild or moderate/severe FCR. Moderate/severe FCR was more often reported by women still on AET with significant side effects and those who have never taken AET. Mild FCR was more frequent in women consulting a GP for the management of their cancer.
Conclusions
Moderate/severe FCR affected one out of seven post-menopausal long-term BC survivors diagnosed with a good-prognosis cancer, particularly those with cancer sequelae, significant side effects of AET, anxiety, physical performance decrease, and those who have never taken AET.GPs should give more information to BC survivors on long-term side effects of AET, and they should be knowledgeable in symptom management strategies.
Legal entity responsible for the study
French National Institute of Cancer (INCa).
Funding
French National Institute of Cancer (INCa).
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.