How can we distinguish between fear of cancer recurrence and generalised anxiety? How can we measure fear of recurrence and how can we best screen for it? What screening tools are available which can realistically be incorporated into everyday practice?
In today’s episode, our Host Rachael Babin chats to Dr Ben Smith about his team’s recently published paper on a single-item fear of cancer recurrence screening measure.
With useful insights for clinical practice, this is a informative episode of Experts on Point, brought to you by The Oncology Podcast. We hope you enjoy listening.
Papers & Resources:
Papers:
Smith, Allan ‘Ben’, et al. Evaluation of the validity and screening performance of a revised single-item fear of cancer recurrence screening measure (FCR-1r). Psycho-Oncology. 30 April 2023. Access online here.
Butler, T. et al. Fear of Cancer Recurrence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Curr. Oncol. 2023, 30, 2900-2915. Access online here.
Smith, Allan ‘Ben’, et al. Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of iConquerFear: a self-guided digital intervention for fear of cancer recurrence. J Cancer Surviv (2022). Access online here.
Fear of cancer recurrence clinical pathway Delphi study:
Researchers at UNSW and the Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG) are conducting a Delphi study to establish consensus on a clinical pathway (i.e., standardized multidisciplinary management plan) for fear of cancer recurrence.
The study is looking recruit people who meet the following criteria:
- Healthcare professionals, i.e., oncologists (medical, radiation, surgical), general practitioners, palliative care providers, nurses, psychologists, social workers, or other allied health professionals who work with adult cancer survivors; OR
- Researchers who have co-authored a peer reviewed article on fear of cancer recurrence in the last 5 years; AND
- Willing to provide an email address to receive a maximum of three online surveys taking approximately 30 minutes each.
For more information, click here
Resources:
PoCoG FCR resources hub: Access online here.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre: Access online here.
Event:
For more information on an upcoming webinar on FCR hosted by CNSA, Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, Cancer Council and COSA, click here.
This Week’s Team:
Dr Ben Smith
Dr Ben Smith is a Senior Research Fellow and Cancer Institute NSW Career Development Fellow. Ben’s research aims to ensure equitable access to high quality evidence-based cancer survivorship care for all people living with and beyond cancer. He has a particular expertise in:
- Assessment and treatment of fear of cancer recurrence
- Development, evaluation and implementation of digital health interventions
- Clinical trial participation by culturally and linguistically diverse cancer patients
- Quality of life in testicular cancer survivors
- Treatment decision making in men wth prostate cancer
Connect with Ben on Twitter here: @cancer_K2A
Rachael Babin
Rachael Babin
Rachael Babin is Host of The Oncology Podcast, Editor-in-Chief of The Oncology Newsletter, and Publisher of Oncology News Australia and The Oncology Network.
With a background in oncology communications and academic publishing, Rachael is happiest sitting behind the mic chatting to interesting people about the impact their work makes in oncology.
Connect with us on Twitter here: @OncologyNewsAus
