Abstract
Purpose: Male cancer survivors represent an important at-risk population for COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic requires a global response for this most vulnerable population. This study purpose was to explore whether fear of COVID-19 and fear of cancer recurrence are related to the likelihood of remaining at work following treatment in male cancer survivors. Survivors and methods: A cross-sectional survey was used. Data were collected in China in May to June 2020. The Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) Inventory-Short Form and work sustainability subscale of the Readiness for Return to Work Scale were completed by male cancer survivors. Results: A total of 121 employed male cancer survivors participated in this study. Fear of COVID-19 and fear of cancer recurrence were both negatively correlated with work sustainability (β = -0.11, and β = -0.19, respectively). Significant interaction effects between fear of COVID-19 and fear of cancer recurrence were observed (β = 0.46, P < 0.01). Advanced disease stage, undergoing radiation therapy and having recently completed cancer treatment were all factors related to lower work sustainability scores (β = -0.28, β = -0.15, and β = -0.17, respectively). The overall path model yielded a good fit: χ2/df = 1.12 (P = 0.24), RMSEA = 0.07, TLI = 0.98, CFI = 0.99, IFI = 0.92, and NFI = 0.96. Conclusion: Fear of COVID-19 is a mediator between fear of cancer recurrence and work sustainability among Chinese male cancer survivors. The findings also indicated that male cancer survivors with higher FCR levels reported less confidence in their ability to remain at work. This information can assist in the development of new interventions and educational programs for cancer survivors, healthcare providers and employers, to improve employees' ability to remain at work.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has spread to more than 200 countries/territories/regions [1]
In terms of fear of cancer recurrence, a total mean score of Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI) was 11.97 (SD = 6.87), and 51.242% (n = 62) of cancer survivors reported a higher level of fear of cancer recurrence
It is well known that the fear of cancer recurrence is one of most prevalent unmet needs in a homogeneous group of male cancer survivors [18]
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has spread to more than 200 countries/territories/regions [1]. As cancer survivors represent an important at-risk population for COVID-19 [4], it is important to understand whether the fear of COVID-19. Https://www.jomh.org is related to work sustainability and whether it interacts with another fear, the fear of cancer recurrence, in male cancer survivors. During the current pandemic, working cancer survivors may experience an additional emotional burden - fear of COVID-19 - especially as it relates to work - and work is a major functional goal for male cancer survivors [8]
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