Fear of cancer recurrence among Chinese cancer survivors: Prevalence and associations with metacognition and neuroticism

Abstract

Objective: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) represents a chronic burden for many cancer survivors. We determined FCR prevalence and potential correlates, specifically metacognitive styles and neuroticism among Chinese cancer survivors with breast or colorectal cancer.

Methods: This study included 285 Chinese patients with breast (N = 173) and colorectal (N = 112) cancers at 8‐week postsurgery. Participants completed a set of baseline questionnaires evaluating FCR (Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory‐Short Form [FCRI‐SF]), metacognition (Metacognitions Questionnaire‐30), and neuroticism (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire). Scores of 13 to 21 were indicative of subclinical FCR on the FCRI‐SF. Scores greater than or equal to 22 indicated clinically significant levels of FCR. Fully adjusted multinomial logistic regressions identified correlates of subclinical and clinically significant FCR.

Results: Respectively, 26.0% (n = 74) and 11.2% (n = 32) achieved scores indicating subclinical and clinically significant FCR. Expressing significantly more positive (OR = 1.21, P = .003) and negative (OR = 1.19, P = .005) beliefs about worry was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting subclinical FCR. Both higher neuroticism (OR = 1.28, P = .003) and more negative beliefs about worry (OR = 1.19, P = 0.035) were associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing clinically significant FCR.

Conclusions: Positive and negative metacognitions may play an important role in the development of subclinical FCR. In particular, negative metacognition and neuroticism may elevate FCR from subclinical to a clinical level. The findings give insight into the identification of cancer survivors with subclinical or clinical FCR and aid the development of interventions aimed at changing metacognitive beliefs in order to manage FCR.