Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26782171›Full record

SynthesisJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2016

Fear of cancer recurrence: a theoretical review and novel cognitive processing formulation.

Joanna E Fardell, Belinda Thewes, Jane Turner, Jemma Gilchrist, Louise Sharpe, Allan 'Ben' Smith, Afaf Girgis, Phyllis Butow

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 113 papers, 9 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
113citing papers in PubMed, 9 pooled it
16.1field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

113 citing papers in PubMed, 9 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 232 citations in OpenAlex.

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  9. Effect of Psychological Intervention on Fear of Cancer Recurrence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology · 2019
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  15. A pilot randomised controlled trial of an online mindfulness-based program for people diagnosed with melanoma.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2019
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  20. Fear of cancer recurrence among cancer survivors in South Korea: high prevalence and predictors of clinical FCR.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
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53 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

8 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.

Joanna E FardellPsycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Belinda ThewesPsycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Jane TurnerMental Health Centre, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
Jemma GilchristCrown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Breast Cancer Institute, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Louise SharpeSchool of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Allan 'Ben' SmithPsycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Afaf GirgisCentre for Oncology Education and Research Translation (CONCERT), Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Phyllis ButowPsycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. phyllis.butow@sydney.edu.au.
The University of Sydney · AUChris O’Brien Lifehouse · AUThe University of Queensland · AUUNSW Sydney · AUWestmead Hospital · AU

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeFear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is prevalent among survivors. However, a comprehensive and universally accepted theoretical framework of FCR to guide intervention is lacking. This paper reviews theoretical frameworks previously used to explain FCR and describes the formulation of a novel theoretical framework for FCR.

methodsA systematic review of the literature was undertaken to identify conceptual frameworks or theories applied to FCR. MEDLINE, PubMED, CINAHL, AMED, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched. Identified conceptual frameworks were reviewed for strength of evidence supporting their validity.

resultsOf 558 papers initially identified, 16 made reference to six different conceptual frameworks relating to FCR. The most comprehensive and evidence-based theoretical approach is the Common Sense Model (CSM). Other approaches have limited evidence supporting their application to FCR. Two theoretical approaches developed in the context of emotional disorders that appear to be highly relevant to FCR: the Self-Regulatory Executive Function (S-REF) model and Relational Frame Theory were combined with the CSM to produce a novel cognitive processing account of FCR.

conclusionsFew conceptual frameworks have been used consistently to guide FCR research, and not all frameworks are empirically well supported, suggesting that further discussion regarding the conceptualisation of FCR is needed. The novel theoretical framework for FCR presented highlights the multidimensional nature of FCR and the importance of cognitive processing and metacognitions in the development and maintenance of FCR. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The novel theoretical formulation of FCR outlined here provides a much-needed comprehensive framework to further investigate and address FCR in cancer survivors.

Indexed as

CognitionFearHumansNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalPhobic DisordersSurvivorsAcceptance and Commitment TherapyCancerFear of cancer recurrenceMetacognitive TherapyOncologySurvivorship

Identifiers

PMID26782171
OpenAlexW2334838322

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.