Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Sarcoma Survivors: Results from the SURVSARC Study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Fear of cancer recurrence is often reported as an unmet concern by cancer patients, and, to our knowledge, it has not been assessed yet in sarcoma survivors. We conducted a population-based cross sectional questionnaire study to assess the prevalence and characteristics of fear of cancer recurrence amongst sarcoma survivors. We demonstrated that severe fear of cancer recurrence is common in sarcoma survivors and that high levels are associated with decreased global health status. Fear of cancer recurrence deserves more attention in optimal sarcoma survivorship care. To guarantee adequate patient care, the collaboration between health care professionals should be encouraged, and structured support programs should be developed to deliver interventions in a correct and time adequate environment. ABSTRACT: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is often reported as an unmet concern by cancer patients. The aim of our study was to investigate (1) the prevalence of FCR in sarcoma survivors; (2) the factors associated with a higher level of FCR; the relationship between (3) FCR and global health status and (4) FCR and use of follow-up care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among sarcoma survivors 2 to 10 years after diagnosis. Patients completed the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS), the global health status subscale of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and a custom-made questionnaire on follow-up care. Results: In total, 1047 patients were included (response rate 55%). The prevalence of high FCR was 45%. Factors associated with high FCR were female sex with 1.6 higher odds (95% CI 1.22–2.25; p = 0.001); having ≥1 comorbidities and receiving any treatment other than surgery alone with 1.5 (95% CI 1.07–2.05; p = 0.017) and 1.4 (95% CI 1.06–1.98; p = 0.020) higher odds, respectively. Patients on active follow-up had 1.7 higher odds (95% CI 1.20–2.61; p = 0.004) and patients with higher levels of FCR scored lower on the global health status scale (72 vs. 83 p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: Severe FCR is common in sarcoma survivors and high levels are related to a decreased global health status. FCR deserves more attention in sarcoma survivorship, and structured support programs should be developed to deliver interventions in a correct and time adequate environment.