Evidence map›Paper›PMID 23475398›Full record

SynthesisJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2013

Fear of cancer recurrence in adult cancer survivors: a systematic review of quantitative studies.

Sébastien Simard, Belinda Thewes, Gerry Humphris, Mélanie Dixon, Ceara Hayden, Shab Mireskandari, Gozde Ozakinci

8 registry-linked trialsAbstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to 8 registered trials, which are not on this map. Cited by 590 papers, 21 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
590citing papers in PubMed, 21 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT02382315 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2015, after this paper: background citation

Efficacy of a Cognitive-Existential Therapy Intervention to Address Fear of Recurrence in Men and Women With Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorOttawa Hospital Research InstituteRan2015 to 2016Enrolled19ConditionsCancerArmsFear of Cancer Recurrence Intervention
NCT02611544 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2015, after this paper: background citation

Investigation of Three Approaches to Address Fear of Recurrence Among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Clinical Pilot Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorIndiana UniversityRan2015 to 2016Enrolled91ConditionsBreast Neoplasms, Breast Cancer, Breast Carcinoma, Malignant Neoplasm of BreastArmsAcceptance and Commitment Therapy, Survivorship Education, Enhanced Usual Care
NCT03260855 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2017, after this paper: background citation

Evaluation Study of Fear of Cancer Recurrence: Detection, Measure and Risk Factors in Lymphoma Survivorship

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity Hospital, ToulouseRan2017 to 2023Enrolled200ConditionsLymphomaArmsQuestionnaires/Scales, Human blood sample
NCT03336827 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2017, after this paper: background citation

Improving Emotion Regulation at the End of Breast Cancer Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Study Assessing the Impact of a Multi-Component Psychological Group Intervention

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversité Libre de BruxellesRan2017 to 2020Enrolled120ConditionsBreast Cancer, Emotional Disturbances, Emotional Dysfunction, Anxiety DepressionArmsCognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy and Hypnosis
NCT04287218 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2023, after this paper: background citation

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Efficacy of Therapist Guided Internet-delivered Cognitive Therapy (TG-iConquerFear) With Augmented Treatment as Usual in Reducing Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Danish Colorectal Cancer Survivors

TypeinterventionalSponsorVejle HospitalRan2023 to 2026Enrolled95ConditionsFear of Cancer Recurrence, Colorectal Cancer, Anxiety, Health AnxietyArmsTG-iConquerFear, aTAU
NCT04316962 nacompletednot on this mapstarted 2016, after this paper: background citation

Cancer Rehabilitation in Primary Health Care

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of BergenRan2016 to 2022Enrolled72ConditionsCancer Survivors, All CancersArmsComplex cancer rehabilitation
NCT06817694 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2026, after this paper: background citation

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Women With BRCA1/2 Gene

TypeinterventionalSponsorCHU de Quebec-Universite LavalRan2026 to 2028Enrolled250ConditionsBreast Cancer Susceptibility Gene (BRCA1) Mutation, BRCA2 Mutation, Fear of Cancer RecurrenceArmsCognitive-behavioral group therapy
NCT06872840 narecruitingnot on this mapstarted 2025, after this paper: background citation

Addressing Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Parents of Pediatric Cancer Survivors: Adapting The Fear Of Recurrence Therapy (FORT) for Parents and Establishing Acceptability and Feasibility

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of OttawaRan2025 to 2027Enrolled36ConditionsCancer, Parent, Fear of Cancer Recurrence, CBTArmsParent Fear of Recurrence Therapy (Parent-FORT)
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

590 citing papers in PubMed, 21 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. How prevalent is fear of cancer recurrence beyond 5 years: a systematic review of validated assessments across tumour types.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
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  4. A mixed studies systematic review of the unmet treatment, support, and information needs of cancer survivors in managing menopause symptoms.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
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  11. Patient-reported emotional responses and coping mechanisms in cancer recurrence: a systematic review of qualitative evidence.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
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  12. Coping strategies for fear of cancer recurrence among breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025
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  17. A systematic review of smartphone applications for cancer survivors.Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice · 2024
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  19. Non-gastrointestinal symptom burden following colorectal cancer treatment-a systematic review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024
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  20. Ecosystem Barriers and Facilitators Linked to the Fear of Cancer Recurrence: An Umbrella Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2024
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530 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sébastien SimardInstitut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, 2725 Chemin Ste-Foy, Québec, QC, Canada. sebastien.simard@criucpq.ulaval.ca
Belinda Thewes
Gerry Humphris
Mélanie Dixon
Ceara Hayden
Shab Mireskandari
Gozde Ozakinci

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeFear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is among the most commonly reported problems and one of the most prevalent areas of unmet needs for cancer survivors and their carers. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current scientific knowledge on FCR and to formulate recommendations for future research.

methodsA systematic review was undertaken to identify quantitative studies associated with FCR. Relevant studies were identified via Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO and AMED databases from 1996 through December 2011. Data from 130 eligible papers were extracted and summarized following a systematic scheme.

resultsMultiple FCR assessment methods were identified. Survivors reported low to moderate level of FCR but considered it as one of the top greatest concerns and the most frequently endorsed unmet need. FCR remains stable over the survivorship trajectory. Younger age, presence and severity of physical symptoms, psychological distress and lower quality of life were associated with higher FCR. Health behaviours, psychological reactions and functional impairments were identified as FCR consequences. Carers reported higher FCR than the patients. Limited data on interventions were available.

conclusionsFCR research has expanded somewhat haphazardly over the last 20 years. Adopted consensual definition and used well-validated measures will be necessary. Longitudinal research examining the longer-term development and impact of FCR is clearly needed. The proposal and evaluation of theoretical models of FCR is a priority. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Identifying the key features of FCR will stimulate the research and the development of targeted interventions for cancer survivors and their carers.

Indexed as

FearHumansNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalNeoplasmsPrevalenceSurvival RateSurvivors

Identifiers

PMID23475398

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

and 2 more above

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.