Interpretation Bias in Breast Cancer Survivors Experiencing Fear of Cancer Recurrence.

Malwina Tuman,Elizabeth Schofield,Geoffrey Corner,Elizabeth Slivjak,Taylor Coats,Carol Fadalla,Kailey E Roberts,Wendy G Lichtenthal,Courtney Beard

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.682174

Abstract

Introduction: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a prevalent and persistent challenge that many cancer survivors endure. While the role of interpretation bias, a tendency to perceive ambiguous situations as threatening, has been established in the onset and maintenance of FCR, few studies have examined cancer-related interpretation bias specifically. Grounded in the cognitive formulation of FCR, the current study aimed to fill this gap by investigating the relationship between cancer-related interpretation bias, FCR, and somatic symptoms, and examining whether bias mediates the relationship between somatic symptoms and FCR.Materials and Methods: This study used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of a cognitive bias modification intervention. Breast cancer survivors (n = 110) provided demographic and medical background information as well as self-report measures of FCR and severity of somatic symptoms. A computer-based assessment of interpretation bias was used to measure cancer-related interpretation bias on several bias indices: percentage of cancer-related threat endorsement, and percentage of benign endorsement; mean reaction time (RT) for threat, and mean RT for benign endorsement.Results: Higher threat endorsement was linked to higher Overall Fear and emerged as a mediator of the relationship between overall somatic symptoms and Overall Fear. We also found that older age was related to longer benign endorsement RT.Conclusion: This study contributes understanding of factors related to cancer-related interpretation bias and provides evidence that bias may influence the relationship between somatic symptoms and FCR in cancer survivors.

Highlights

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a prevalent and persistent challenge that many cancer survivors endure
Assessment is further complicated by the multidimensional nature of FCR, which incorporates several factors including triggers activating FCR, the severity of intrusive thoughts surrounding FCR, psychological distress, coping strategies to manage FCR, functioning impairments, insight regarding the intensity of FCR, and reassurance behaviors (Simard and Savard, 2009)
Given the link between somatic symptoms and FCR, along with presumptive links between interpretation bias and both these constructs based on the cognitive formulation of FCR, the second goal of this study was to examine interpretation bias as a mediator of the association between somatic symptoms and FCR

Summary

Introduction

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a prevalent and persistent challenge that many cancer survivors endure. Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a prevalent problem in cancer survivors. With estimated rates ranging from 39 to 97%, cancer survivors have identified managing FCR as their top unmet need (Simard et al, 2013). Interpretation Bias and Fear of Recurrence quality of life through psychological distress, functional impairments (Simard and Savard, 2015), and maladaptive behaviors, including hypervigilance for symptoms of recurrence in the future. Assessment is further complicated by the multidimensional nature of FCR, which incorporates several factors including triggers activating FCR, the severity of intrusive thoughts surrounding FCR, psychological distress, coping strategies to manage FCR, functioning impairments, insight regarding the intensity of FCR, and reassurance behaviors (Simard and Savard, 2009). Identifying common contributors underlying the etiology and maintenance of FCR, empirically validating their relationship with FCR, and identifying potential intervention targets remain research priorities (Lebel et al, 2017)

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion