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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

Published in:

01-09-2012

An Exploratory Analysis of Fear of Recurrence among African-American Breast Cancer Survivors

Authors: Teletia R. Taylor, Edward D. Huntley, Jennifer Sween, Kepher Makambi, Thomas A. Mellman, Carla D. Williams, Pamela Carter-Nolan, Wayne Frederick

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 3/2012

Abstract

Background

Fear of recurrence (FOR) is a psychological concern that has been studied extensively in cancer survivors but has not been adequately examined in African-American breast cancer survivors.

Purpose

This exploratory study describes the extent and nature of FOR in African-American breast cancer survivors. FOR is examined in relation to socio-demographic characteristics, treatment-related characteristics, psychological distress, and quality of life (QOL).

Methods

Participants completed questionnaires assessing FOR, psychological distress, QOL, and demographic and treatment characteristics. Pearson r correlations, t tests, and ANOVAs were used to determine the association between FOR and demographic and treatment-related characteristics. Hierarchical multiple regression models were performed to investigate the degree to which FOR dimensions account for the variance in QOL and psychological distress.

Results

Fifty-one African-American breast cancer survivors participated in this study. The mean age of participants was 64.24 (SD = 12.3). Overall fears as well as concerns about death and health were rated as low to moderate. Role worries and womanhood worries were very low. Inverse relationships were observed between age and FOR dimensions. FOR was positively correlated with measures of psychological distress and negatively correlated with QOL. FOR significantly accounted for a portion of the variance in QOL and distress after controlling for other variables.

Conclusions

This study suggests that African-American women in this sample demonstrated some degree of FOR. Results indicate that FOR among African-American breast cancer survivors decreases with age and time since diagnosis and co-occurs with psychological distress as well as diminished quality of life.

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Title: An Exploratory Analysis of Fear of Recurrence among African-American Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Teletia R. Taylor
Edward D. Huntley
Jennifer Sween
Kepher Makambi
Thomas A. Mellman
Carla D. Williams
Pamela Carter-Nolan
Wayne Frederick
Publication date: 01-09-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-011-9183-4

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Springer Medicine

An Exploratory Analysis of Fear of Recurrence among African-American Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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