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Empirical validation of the English version of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory

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Abstract

Purpose

Cancer patients report that help in managing fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is one of their greatest unmet needs. Research on FCR has been limited by the very few validated, multi-dimensional measures of this construct. One exception is the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI), originally developed and empirically validated in French. The present study validated the English version of the FCRI.

Methods

The FCRI was translated into English using a forward–backward translation procedure and pilot-tested with 17 English-speaking cancer patients. Cross-cultural equivalency of the French and English versions was established by administering both forms to 42 bilingual cancer patients. Last, 350 English-speaking breast, colon, prostate, or lung cancer patients were asked to complete the FCRI. A subsample (n = 135) was mailed the FCRI again one month later to evaluate test–retest reliability.

Results

The English translation of the FCRI was well accepted by participants. There was no item-bias when comparing bilingual participants’ answers on both versions. A confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized seven-factor structure. The English version has high internal consistency (α = .96 for the total scale and .71–.94 for the subscales) and test–retest reliability (r = .88 for the total scale and 56–.87 for the subscales).

Conclusions

The English version of the FCRI is a reliable and valid measure of FCR applicable to breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancer patients. Its multi-dimensional nature makes it an attractive research and clinical tool to further our knowledge of FCR.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by Research Development Funds provided by the University of Ottawa to Dr. Sophie Lebel.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Ottawa University, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Room 4016, Ottawa, ON, K1N6N5, Canada

    Sophie Lebel, Andrea Feldstain, Sara Beattie & Megan McCallum

  2. Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada

    Sebastien Simard & Josée Savard

  3. The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Center, Ottawa, Canada

    Cheryl Harris

  4. The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Canada

    Monique Lefebvre

  5. Princess Margaret Hospital, Ontario Cancer Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Gerald M. Devins

  6. Montfort Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada

    Sophie Lebel

Authors
  1. Sophie Lebel
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  2. Sebastien Simard
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  3. Cheryl Harris
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  4. Andrea Feldstain
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  5. Sara Beattie
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  7. Monique Lefebvre
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  8. Josée Savard
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  9. Gerald M. Devins
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sophie Lebel.

Additional information

Requests for permission to use the FCRI (French or English versions) should be addressed to Sébastien Simard: Sebastien.Simard@criucpq.ulaval.ca.

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Lebel, S., Simard, S., Harris, C. et al. Empirical validation of the English version of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory. Qual Life Res 25, 311–321 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-015-1088-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-015-1088-2

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