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Prevalence and correlates of fear of recurrence among adolescent and young adult versus older adult post-treatment cancer survivors

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Abstract

Purpose

We sought to (1) assess prevalence of fear of recurrence among cancer survivors diagnosed as adolescent and young adults (AYA; 15–39 years) versus those diagnosed at a later age (40+ years) and (2) identify factors associated with fear of recurrence in each group.

Methods

We used logistic regression to determine the correlates of fear of recurrence by age group at diagnosis among survivors responding to the 2010 LIVESTRONG survey.

Results

Prevalence of fear of recurrence was significantly higher among AYA survivors (85.2 %) than those diagnosed at an older age (79.7 %). Among AYA respondents, being employed and less than 5 years off treatment were positively associated with fear of recurrence while those with thyroid cancer and those who participated in a clinical trial were less likely to experience fear of recurrence. Among older adults, receipt of surgery was associated with fear of recurrence whereas having insurance coverage through Medicare or Medicaid and positive patient-provider communication were negatively associated with fear of recurrence.

Conclusions

For both AYA and older adult survivors, changeable factors such as having a more positive cancer care experience may impact fear of recurrence. Our findings highlight the need to identify and understand aspects of the communication process that can be targeted in future interventions with survivors and healthcare providers to ensure that fear of recurrence is being appropriately managed. Factors associated with fear of recurrence differ for AYA and older adult survivors; thus, interventions would likely benefit from tailoring based on age at diagnosis.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, San Antonio Regional Campus, 7411 John Smith Drive, Suite 1100, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA

    L. Aubree Shay

  2. Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA

    Melissa Y. Carpentier & Sally W. Vernon

Authors
  1. L. Aubree Shay
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  2. Melissa Y. Carpentier
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  3. Sally W. Vernon
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. Aubree Shay.

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Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest. Data for this study was used with permission from the LIVESTRONG Foundation.

Funding

LAS is supported by a post-doctoral fellowship, University of Texas School of Public Health Cancer Education and Career Development Program (National Cancer Institute/NIH Grant R25 CA57712). Funding from the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute supported MYC (K07CA140159).

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Shay, L.A., Carpentier, M.Y. & Vernon, S.W. Prevalence and correlates of fear of recurrence among adolescent and young adult versus older adult post-treatment cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 24, 4689–4696 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3317-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3317-9

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