Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Breast Cancer Survivors With BRCA1/2 Mutations

By: Chris Schimpf, MSW
Posted: Monday, November 25, 2024

Fear of cancer recurrence appears to be a significant problem for survivors of breast cancer carrying a BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation, according to a cross-sectional study published in Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice. Josée Savard, PhD, of the Université Laval, Québec, and colleagues found this was the case even among patients who had undergone preventive surgical procedures known to significantly reduce the risk of recurrence. In addition, the researchers underlined the need to offer psychological support that specifically targets fear of cancer recurrence to this patient population.

“Psychological intervention programs addressing fear of cancer recurrence have shown positive and promising effects…, but the effectiveness of these interventions has yet to be specifically studied in carriers of the BRCA1/2 genetic mutation,” the investigators stated. “Future research… would also be useful in order to better understand the role of fear of cancer recurrence on the decision to proceed with preventive surgery, as well as the effect that surgery can have on [it].”

A total of 89 women were included in the study, recruited through an oncogenetic network mailing list. They were asked to complete a battery of online questionnaires assessing fear of cancer recurrence and other psychological and quality-of-life variables. Among the participants, 62.9% had undergone a preventive mastectomy, and 75.3% had undergone a preventive salpingo-oophorectomy.

The researchers reported that 70.8% of the participants showed a clinical level of fear of cancer recurrence, as measured by the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory. They found it was significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression and higher avoidance and intolerance of uncertainty—but not with quality of life. They also observed a significant association between higher fear of cancer recurrence and greater decisional conflicts and regrets about choosing to undergo preventive surgery but no significant difference between women who had undergone preventive surgery, those considering it, and those not considering it.

Disclosure: The study authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice