Supportive care needs of breast cancer survivors with different levels of fear of cancer recurrence: A cross-sectional survey study

Purpose: To examine the supportive care needs of breast cancer survivors with nonclinical, subclinical, or clinical fear of cancer recurrence.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 385 breast cancer survivors consented and completed a set of online questionnaires. Supportive care needs were assessed by using the 34-item Supportive Care Needs Survey. Fear of cancer recurrence was assessed by using the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory.Results: One hundred eighty-four (47.8%) participants reported nonclinical fear of cancer recurrence, 147 (38.2%) reported subclinical fear of cancer recurrence, and 54 (14.0%) reported clinical fear of cancer recur-rence. Higher levels of fear of cancer recurrence were associated with higher levels of supportive care needs in five domains (& beta; = 0.30-0.60, P < 0.001) after adjusting for places of residence, education, motherhood, and time since diagnosis. Among participants with nonclinical fears of cancer recurrence, the most common needs were in the 'Health care system/Information' domain (50.5%). Among participants with subclinical or clinical fear of cancer recurrence, the most common needs were in the 'Psychological' domain (85.7% and 96.3%, respectively).Conclusion: Fear of cancer recurrence was associated with supportive care needs. The most common needs among participants with subclinical or clinical fears of cancer recurrence were psychological needs.

Automated summary

The purpose of this study was to investigate the supportive care needs of breast cancer survivors with nonclinical, subclinical, or clinical fear of cancer recurrence. The results showed that higher levels of fear of cancer recurrence were associated with higher levels of supportive care needs. Among participants with nonclinical fear, the most common needs were in the 'Health care system/Information' domain, while among participants with subclinical or clinical fear, the most common needs were in the 'Psychological' domain.