Fear of cancer recurrence among Brazilian patients with cancer: Translation and cultural adaptation of FCR4/7 and FCRI-SF measures.

OBJECTIVE: Fear of cancer recurrence or progression (FCR) is considered one of the most common unmet needs among patients with cancer. This study sought to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence scale (FCR4/7) and Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form (FCRI-SF). METHODS: This study involved three phases: (1) translation and cultural adaptation of the FCR4/7 and FCRI-SF measures, (2) validity and reliability testing of the Portuguese version of these measures, and (3) examining patient's perceptions of these measures. Eligible patients were diagnosed with localized breast cancer, and patients with metastatic cancer. Descriptive analyses were collated, and psychometric analysis were conducted (confirmatory factor analysis). RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were recruited (100 patients with localized and 100 patients with metastatic cancer). A significant proportion of patients reported moderate to severe FCR (FCR7: 32.0% and FCRI-SF: 43.0%). Female gender, younger age and metastatic cancer were associated with higher levels of FCR. Psychometric analyses suggested that the Portuguese versions of the FCR4/7 and FCRI-SF were valid, unidimensional in nature, with acceptable reliability coefficients across all scales. In a sub-sample qualitative analysis (n = 75), most patients were satisfied with the relevance of both measures. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the Portuguese versions of the FCR4/7 and FCRI-SF are valid tools to assess FCR among patients with localized and metastatic cancer. Future research can now extend our understanding of FCR and assess this construct among Portuguese speaking patients, to guide the development of effective and targeted interventions for patients globally.

Otimismo e ganho percebido em cuidadores de crianças com câncer / Optimism and benefit finding in caregivers of children with cancer / Optimismo y crecimiento psicológico postraumático en los cuidadores de niños con câncer

Com o objetivo de analisar as relações entre otimismo e ganho percebido em cuidadores de crianças com câncer, constituiu-se uma amostra de conveniência de 60 cuidadores, com média de idade de 36,5 anos (DP=9,17), 81,7% de mulheres, em um hospital de referência. Utilizaram-se os instrumentos: Teste de Orientação da Vida, Inventário de Desenvolvimento Pós-Traumático, e questionário sociodemográfico e clínico. Após análise estatística descritiva e inferencial, verificou-se correlação positiva entre otimismo e ganho percebido (percepção de recursos e competências pessoais). Otimismo e ganho percebido também se associaram às variáveis clínicas e sociodemográficas: cuidadores casados e com crianças fora de quimioterapia referiram maior ganho percebido; e cuidadores cujos filhos tinham mais tempo de tratamento, se mostraram mais otimistas e com maior ganho percebido. Conclui-se que características individuais e clínicas devem ser consideradas em intervenções com foco na ressignificação da experiência de ter um filho com câncer e o crescimento frente à adversidade.

In order to analyze the relationship between optimism and benefit finding in caregivers of children with cancer, a convenience sample with 60 caregivers was made up, with an average age of 36.5 (DP=9.17), 81.7 women, in a referral hospital. The tools used were: Life Orientation Test, Post-traumatic Growth Inventory and socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire. After the descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, the positive correlation between optimism and benefit finding (perception of resources and personal skills) was observed. Optimism and benefit finding were also associated with clinical and socio-demographic variables: married caregivers and with children without chemotherapy reported greater benefit finding; and caregivers whose children had a longer treatment period turned out to be more optimistic and with greater benefit finding. It is concluded that individual and clinical characteristics should be considered in interventions focused on reframing the experience of having a child with cancer and the growth face to adversities.

Para analizar la relación entre optimismo y crecimiento psicológico postraumático en los cuidadores de niños con cáncer, se constituyó una muestra de conveniencia de 60 cuidadores, con una edad media de 36,5 años (DE = 9,17), 81,7 % de mujeres, en un hospital de referencia. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron: Life Orientation Test, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory y cuestionario sociodemográfico y clínico. Tras el análisis estadístico descriptivo e inferencial, se constató una correlación positiva entre el optimismo y la ganancia percibida (Percepción de recursos y habilidades personales). El optimismo y la ganancia percibida también se asociaron con variables clínicas y sociodemográficas: los cuidadores casados y los niños sin quimioterapia reportaron una mayor ganancia percibida; y los cuidadores cuyos hijos tuvieron más tiempo de tratamiento, fueron más optimistas y percibieron una mayor ganancia. Se concluye que las características individuales y clínicas deben ser consideradas en intervenciones enfocadas a replantear la experiencia de tener un hijo con cáncer y crecimiento ante la adversidad.