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.

Fear of cancer recurrence in informal caregivers of childhood cancer survivors / Miedo a la recurrencia del cáncer en cuidadores de supervivientes de cáncer infantil

Abstract Background Fear of cancer recurrence is one of the most distressing psychological consequences in cancer survivors and their informal primary caregivers (IPC). IPC of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are often their mothers, which could intensify fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and its impact on both IPC and CCS. However, the phenomenon has not been widely described in this specific population. Objective To summarize and analyze current evidence on the evaluation and management of FCR among IPC of CCS. Method A narrative review of studies included in four databases (PsycInfo, Medline, CINALH, and Web of Science) with no language or year of publication restrictions. Results Measures specifically developed to assess FCR among IPC of CCS comprising an interview and a questionnaire with initial psychometric evaluations and two short, online intervention programs based on cognitive-behavioral-contextual therapy were identified (ENGAGE and CASCAdE). Both have demonstrated acceptability in parents of CCS in high-income countries; preliminary evidence also exists of the effectivity of CASCAdE in reducing FCR. Discussion and conclusion Given the limitations of this area of psychological evaluation, the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, originally developed for adult cancer survivors, constitutes the most suitable tool for evaluating FCR among IPC of CCS. The CASCAdE program seems a promising intervention for IPC of CSS, although cultural adaptations, evaluations of its acceptability in low- and middle-income countries, and controlled studies in large samples are still required.

Resumen Antecedentes El miedo a la recurrencia del cáncer es una de las consecuencias psicológicas más angustiantes en los supervivientes y sus cuidadores primarios informales (CPI). Los CPI de supervivientes de cáncer infantil (SCI) a menudo son sus madres, lo que podría intensificar el miedo a la recurrencia (MR) y su impacto tanto a los CPI como a los SCI. Sin embargo, el fenómeno no se ha descrito ampliamente en esta población específica. Objetivo Resumir y analizar la evidencia actual sobre la evaluación y manejo del MR entre CPI de SCI. Método Se realizó una revisión narrativa de los estudios incluidos en cuatro bases de datos (PsycInfo, Medline, CINALH y Web of Science) sin restricciones de idioma o año de publicación. Resultados Se identificaron instrumentos desarrollados específicamente para evaluar MR entre CPI de SCI que comprenden una entrevista y un cuestionario, además de dos programas de intervención en línea basados en terapia cognitivo-conductual-contextual (ENAGE y CASCAdE). Ambos demostraron aceptabilidad en los padres de SCI en países de ingresos altos. También existe evidencia preliminar de la efectividad de CASCAdE en la disminución del MR. Discusión y conclusión Dadas las limitaciones de esta área de evaluación psicológica, el Inventario del Miedo a la Recurrencia del Cáncer, desarrollado originalmente para supervivientes adultos, constituye la herramienta más adecuada para evaluar MR en los CPI de SCI. El programa CASCAdE parece una intervención prometedora para CPI de SCI, aunque aún requiere adaptaciones culturales, evaluaciones de aceptabilidad en países de ingresos medio-bajos y estudios controlados con nuestras más grandes.