Application of Cancer Worry Scale detecting fear of recurrence in breast cancer patients

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the correlation between Cancer Worry Scale (CWS)scores and fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) degree, so as to distribute characteristics of patients. Methods Totals of 85 female breast cancer patients were randomly selected from the breast center in Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, and conducted the survey of CWS scale by letter or Email. Results The recovery rate of the survey was 74.6%, the CWS score of patients was between 8 and 22, with average score of (11.84±4.06). The CWS scores of patients with confirmed breast surgery and partial treatment plus systemic treatment were higher than that patients with improved surgery and only local treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=9.071, 16.406, respectively; P<0.05). Conclusions The CWS is a reliable and valid questionnaire to assess fear of recurrence in breast cancer survivors. And clinical medical and nursing staff should provide appropriate psychological intervention and support treatment to reduce the tumor recurrence of breast cancer for patients with high CWS score. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Cancer Worry Scale; Fear of cancer recurrence