Managing fear of cancer recurrence: a qualitative comparison of coping process among Chinese cancer survivors with nonclinical, subclinical, and clinically-significant fear of cancer recurrence

Dr Ng, Wing Lam   (Principal Investigator (PI))

Dr Chan Wing Lok Wendy   (Co-Investigator)

Dr Foo Chi Chung   (Co-Investigator)

Dr Tang Wei Chun Julia   (Co-Investigator)

Professor Kwong Ava   (Co-Investigator)

Professor Ng Simon Siu-man   (Co-Investigator)

Professor Fielding Richard   (Co-Investigator)

Dr Lam Wendy Wing Tak   (Co-Investigator)

12

2022-01-08

522083

Managing fear of cancer recurrence: a qualitative comparison of coping process among Chinese cancer survivors with nonclinical, subclinical, and clinically-significant fear of cancer recurrence

Breast cancer, Cancer survivoship, Colorectal cancer, Coping, Fear of cancer recurrence, Psycho-oncology

Others - Medicine, Dentistry and Health

18191511

Health and Medical Research Fund - Full Grant

2020

On-going

(1) Objectives: The aims of this qualitative study are to (1) identify coping strategies used to manage fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) among Chinese cancer survivors; (2) compare coping strategies used among survivors with nonclinical, subclinical, and clinically-significant FCR; and (3) explore factors influencing the coping process of FCR among survivors with nonclinical, subclinical, and clinically-significant FCR. (2) Hypothesis to be tested: NA (3) Design and subjects: Using qualitative study design, this study will include Cantonese- or Mandarin-speaking Chinese cancer survivors with non-metastatic breast or colorectal cancer survivors who have recently completed adjuvant treatment (except hormonal therapy) from the public clinical oncology centres, and will stratify them into nonclinical, subclinical and clinically-significant FCR for comparison. A total of 45 participants will be recruited with 15 in each FCR status. (4) Instruments: Fear of cancer recurrence inventory-short form (FCRI-SF) will be used for FCR screening. FCRI-SF scores of < 13, 13 to 21, and ≥ 22 indicate nonclinical, subclinical and clinically-significant FCR cases, respectively. Individual face-to-face semi-structured interview will be used to collect narrative data. (5) Intervention: NA (6) Main outcome measures: Narrative data (7) Data analysis: Grounded theory approach will be employed for data analysis. (8) Expected results: The findings of the proposed study will enable us to have a better understanding of the variance in FCR seen in cancer survivors that allows for potential early identification and refinement of the existing intervention for preventing FCR worsening.