Abstract
Purpose
The Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI) is a multidimensional measure for fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the translated Danish version of the FCRI in a population of colorectal cancer patients.
Methods
The English version of the FCRI was forward–backward translated into Danish and pilot tested in a gynaecological cancer population. The psychometric properties of the FCRI were assessed in terms of responsiveness, test–retest reliability and discriminative and convergent validity in a population of colorectal cancer patients by asking them to complete questionnaires at three time points during follow-up. Clinical FCR was defined as ≥ 16 at the FCRI short form.
Results
The participation rate was 57%. A low association was found between higher scores on the FCRI and younger age (r = − 0.29, p = 0.02). A moderate correlation was found between the FCRI score and a measure for worry traits (r = 0.49, p < 0.001). Mean difference in total FCRI score was statistically significant between ‘pre-scan’ and ‘postscan’ (p < 0.001), thus indicating that the FCRI was responsive to change. The FCRI score showed good test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation = 0.84).
Conclusion
The Danish version of the FCRI is a reliable and responsive measure for FCR in colorectal cancer patients and shows acceptable discriminative and convergent validity.
Implications for Cancer Survivors
A valid measure for FCR is crucial in order to identify patients with a need for special attention or interventions for high levels of FCR and to improve future research into FCR among cancer survivors.
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Requests for permission to use the FCRI (any language versions) should be addressed to Sébastien Simard: Sebastien1_Simard@uqac.ca
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Hovdenak Jakobsen, I., Jeppesen, M.M., Simard, S. et al. Initial validation of the Danish version of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI) in colorectal cancer patients. J Cancer Surviv 12, 723–732 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-018-0709-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-018-0709-5