Protective Factors against Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Breast Cancer Patients: A Latent Growth Model

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The present study’s objective was to examine the protective factors of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) as well as its trajectory. The study encompassed a sample of 494 women participating in an international longitudinal research project named “Predicting Effective Adaptation to Breast Cancer to Help Women to BOUNCE Back” (BOUNCE). The participants had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer (BC), ranging from tumor stage I to III, and were undergoing BC treatments. The study underscores the stability observed in the FCR levels and highlights the influence of coping self-efficacy on the initial FCR levels. However, greater positive cognitive–emotion regulation did not appear to contribute to the level or reduction of FCR. These findings bear significant implications, emphasizing the necessity of targeted coping strategies for BC patients during a critical timeframe, to mitigate the impact of FCR, a factor that is liable to undermine the quality of life and mental well-being of BC survivors. ABSTRACT: The current study aimed to examine the fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) trajectory and protective predictors in women coping with breast cancer (BC). The study’s model investigated whether a higher coping self-efficacy and positive cognitive–emotion regulation at the time of the BC diagnosis would lead to reduced levels of FCR at six months and in later stages (12 and 18 months) post-diagnosis. The sample included 494 women with stages I to III BC from Finland, Italy, Portugal, and Israel. They completed self-report questionnaires, including the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI-SF), the Cancer Behavior Inventory-Brief Version (CBI-B), the Cognitive–Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ short), and medical–social–demographic data. Findings revealed that a higher coping self-efficacy at diagnosis predicted lower FCR levels after six months but did not impact the FCR trajectory over time. Surprisingly, positive cognitive–emotion regulation did not predict FCR levels or changes over 18 months. FCR levels remained stable from six to 18 months post-diagnosis. This study emphasizes the importance of developing specific cancer coping skills, such as coping self-efficacy. Enhancing coping self-efficacy in the first six months after BC diagnosis may lead to lower FCR levels later, as FCR tends to persist in the following year.