Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35876964›Full record

ArticleJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2024

Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear: a self-guided digital intervention for fear of cancer recurrence.

Allan 'Ben' Smith, Adeola Bamgboje-Ayodele, Sharuja Jegathees, Phyllis Butow, Britt Klein, Marj Salter, Jane Turner, Joanna Fardell, Belinda Thewes, Louise Sharpe and 14 more

Open access · hybridAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
16citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
2.4field-weighted citation impact, top 11% 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

16 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 17 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Effectiveness of eHealth interventions in long-term follow-up care for breast and gynecological cancer survivors: a systematic review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Trial
  4. Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a self-directed online psychosocial intervention for women with metastatic breast cancer: Finding My Way-Advanced.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2024
    Trial
  5. Predictors of initial engagement with an asynchronous cognitive behavioral stress management website among older women with nonmetastatic breast cancer.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2023
    Trial
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Strategies to promote the dissemination of psychosocial digital health resources for those affected by cancer: scoping review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  9. Review
  10. Article
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  15. Article
  16. Digital therapeutics in the clinic.Bioengineering & translational medicine · 2023
    Review
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

24 authors at 14 institutions in 1 country.

Allan 'Ben' SmithFaculty of Medicine and Health, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Liverpool, Australia. ben.smith@unsw.edu.au.
Adeola Bamgboje-AyodeleFaculty of Medicine and Health, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Liverpool, Australia.
Sharuja JegatheesFaculty of Medicine and Health, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Liverpool, Australia.
Phyllis ButowPsycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Britt KleinHealth Innovation & Transformation Centre (HITC) & Biopsychosocial and eHealth Research & Innovation (BeRI), DVC-R&I Portfolio, Federation University Australia, Churchill, Australia.
Marj SalterIngham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool, BC NSW, 1871, Australia.
Jane TurnerDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Joanna FardellSchool of Clinical Medicine, Discipline of Paediatrics, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Belinda ThewesSchool of Psychology, University of Sydney NSW, Sydney, Australia.
Louise SharpeSchool of Psychology, University of Sydney NSW, Sydney, Australia.
Lisa BeattyCollege of Education, Psychology & Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.
Alison PearceThe Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, Australia.
Jane BeithChris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
Daniel CostaSchool of Psychology, University of Sydney NSW, Sydney, Australia.
Orlando RinconesIngham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool, BC NSW, 1871, Australia.
Verena S WuFaculty of Medicine and Health, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Liverpool, Australia.
Frances L GardenIngham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool Hospital, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool, BC NSW, 1871, Australia.
Belinda E KielySouth Western Sydney Local Health District, Campbelltown Hospital, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia.
Karen LimSouth Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia.
Lisa MorstynBreast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), Camberwell, Australia.
Brigid HanleyCancer Council Queensland, Fortitude Valley, Australia.
Rosemerry HodgkinCancer Council Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Annette BeattieCancer Council New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Afaf GirgisFaculty of Medicine and Health, South West Sydney Clinical Campuses, University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), Liverpool, Australia.
Liverpool Hospital · AUThe University of Sydney · AUIngham Institute · AUUNSW Sydney · AUBreast Cancer Network Australia · AUCancer Council Australia · AUCancer Council NSW · AUCancer Council Queensland · AUCancer Council Western Australia · AUChris O’Brien Lifehouse · AUFederation University · AUFlinders University · AUSouth Western Sydney Local Health District · AUThe University of Queensland · AU

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeApproximately 50% of cancer survivors experience moderate-severe fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Self-guided digital interventions have potential to address the high level of FCR-related unmet needs at scale, but existing digital interventions have demonstrated variable engagement and efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear, a five-module self-guided digital FCR intervention.

methodsEligible curatively treated breast cancer survivors were recruited. Participants reporting clinically significant FCR (≥ 13 on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form; FCRI-SF) were given access to iConquerFear. Feasibility was indicated by > 50% of eligible participants enrolling in iConquerFear and recording moderate (≥ 120 min) or greater usage. Preliminary efficacy was evaluated via changes in self-reported FCR severity, anxiety, depression, intrusions and metacognitions from baseline to immediately and 3 months post-intervention.

resultsFifty-four (83%) of 65 eligible participants enrolled in iConquerFear; six subsequently withdrew. Thirty-nine (83%) participants recorded moderate (n = 24; 120-599 min) or high (n = 15; ≥ 600 min) usage. Engagement levels increased with participant age (p = 0.043), but were lower in participants with higher baseline FCR (p = 0.028). Qualitative feedback indicated engagement was sometimes limited by difficulties with navigation and relating to featured survivors. Participants reported significantly improved FCR (mean reduction (95%CI): baseline to post-intervention - 3.44 (- 5.18, - 1.71), baseline to 3-month follow-up - 4.52 (- 6.25, - 2.78), p =  < 0.001).

conclusioniConquerFear is a feasible and potentially efficacious intervention for reducing FCR in breast cancer survivors. Easier navigation and more relatable examples may enhance engagement. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: iConquerFear may help address moderate but burdensome FCR levels in cancer survivors.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsCancer SurvivorsAnxietyFearFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalcancereHealthfear of cancer recurrenceOncologyonlinepsycho-oncologyself-managementsurvivorshipweb-based

Identifiers

PMID35876964
PMCPMC9309991
OpenAlexW4287307474

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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.