Fears about breast cancer recurrence - Interviews with a diverse sample

PURPOSE: Prior research Shows that the majority of women diagnosed with bre ast cancer experience ongoing fears about recurrence. These studies primari ly have used likert scales to determine the extent to which women fear recu rrence but have not presented details of women's experiences or addressed t he nature of women's fears. This report describes,I pilot study designed to capture women's diverse experiences related to the possibility of recurren ce, DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: Sixteen women participated in semistructured intervie ws about their thoughts and feelings regarding the possibility of breast ca ncer recurrence. Thematic content coding Was used to categorize women's res ponses, RESULTS: Although some women indicated strong fears about recurrence, the m ajority expressed more moderate fears. Fears revolved around the possibilit y of death, further treatment (particularly chemotherapy), emotional diffic ulties, pain, advancement of the disease, suffering of family members, and loss of the breast. Many women spoke about life circumstances that were mor e salient than the possibility of recurrence, Women also described events/s ituations that triggered fears and strategies used for coping with fears. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Result,, suggest that more Systematic investigation of women's fears about breast cancer recurrence is warranted and that clini cians Should address the multidimensional nature of women's fears as they r elate to other psychological processes and events in women's lives. Moreove r, women's life circumstances should be considered when attempting to deter mine whether a social support intervention might be beneficial or detriment al.