Positive influence of managing cancer and living meaningfully (CALM) on fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors

To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of managing cancer and living meaningfully (CALM), an inter-vention used to reduce the fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in breast cancer survivors and improve their quality of life (QoL). A total of 103 breast cancer survivors were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to the CALM group or the care as usual (CAU) group. The participants completed a survey at baseline (T0) and after two (T1), four (T2), and six (T3) intervention sessions. The patients were assessed using the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS), Psycho-logical Distress Thermometer (DT), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). After the intervention, the CALM group showed a significant decrease in levels of FCR, distress, anxiety, and depression (?2=154.353, ?2=130.292, ?2=148.879, and ?2=78.681; P<0.001, 0.001, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively) and an increased QoL (?2=122.822, P<0.001). Compared with the CAU group, the CALM group showed significant differences in FCR, distress, QoL, anxiety and depression (F=292.431, F=344.156, F=11.115, F=45.124, and F=16.155; P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.01, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). Negative correlations were found between CWS and FACT-B scores in the CALM group (T0: r=-0.6345, P<0.001; T1: r=-0.4127, P=0.0017; T2: r=-0.2919, P=0.0306; and T3: r=-0.3188, P=0.0177) and in the CAU group (T0: r=-0.7714, P<0.0001; T1: r=-0.6549, P<0.0001; T2: r=-0.5060, P=0.0002; and T3: r=-0.3151, P=0.0291). Thus, the CALM intervention reduced FCR, distress, anxiety and depression in breast cancer survivors and improved QoL.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the effectiveness and feasibility of the CALM intervention in reducing fear of cancer recurrence and improving quality of life in breast cancer survivors. The CALM group showed significant reductions in fear of cancer recurrence, distress, anxiety, and depression, as well as improved quality of life. Compared to the care as usual group, the CALM group had significant differences in fear of cancer recurrence, distress, quality of life, anxiety, and depression.