The fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) among young women with breast cancer leads to lower surveillance rates which may compromise health outcomes, an Australian study shows.
A survey of 218 women aged 18-45 with early-stage breast cancer found 64-76% reported higher levels of FCR than that seen in mixed age and diagnoses cohorts, according to the study published in Support Care Cancer.
Contrary to the researchers’ hypothesis, women with higher FCR were less likely to seek out mammograms, ultrasounds, formal cancer screening programmes and clinical examinations.
Although there is no evidence to suggest earlier detection of cancer recurrence improves survival, “if higher FCR is indeed associated with avoidance of recommended surveillance … this could lead to a delay in the detection of...
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