Fear-less: An acceptable model to treat fear of cancer recurrence in metastatic melanoma survivors
September 19, 2020
Abstract
Immunotherapies and targeted therapies have revolutionised treatment of metastatic
melanoma and improved survival rates. However, survivors treated with novel therapies are
vulnerable to high levels of fear of cancer recurrence or progression (FCR). Existing FCR interventions have rarely been trialled in people with advanced cancer. The current study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of Fear-Less: a stepped-care model to treat FCR in people with metastatic melanoma treated with immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Sixty-one outpatients with metastatic melanoma were screened using the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory Short Form (FCRI-SF) and Fear of Progression Questionnaire Short Form (FoP-Q-SF). Survivors with subthreshold FCR were stratified to a self-management intervention while those with clinical levels of FCR were provided with
an individual therapy, Conquer Fear. Survivor experience surveys and rescreening were administered post-intervention completion. Results indicated that Fear-Less was an acceptable and feasible FCR intervention. Results provided preliminary support for the potential impact of Fear-Less in reducing FCR. Fear-Less is a promising first step in
providing an acceptable and feasible stepped-care model to treat FCR in survivors with metastatic disease.
Source:
Lynch, F. A., Katona, L., Jefford, M., Smith, A. B., Shaw, J., Dhillon, H. M., . . . Ftanou, M. (2020). Feasibility and Acceptability of Fear-Less: A Stepped-Care Program to Manage Fear of Cancer Recurrence in People with Metastatic Melanoma. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(9), 2969. doi:10.3390/jcm9092969