BACKGROUND: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) can be a constant feature of cancer survivorship that can negatively impact quality of life. Whilst the symptom burden from FCR is higher in younger patients, the impact of FCR in older adults is poorly understood.
OBJECTIVES: To explore FCR, survivorship and the coping strategies associated with FCR in older women in remission after treatment of gynaecological cancer.
METHODS: This study utilised qualitative interviews designed to explore the experience of FCR in older women. Females treated for ovarian or uterine cancer at a regional cancer centre, who have not previously experienced recurrence and were aged ≥65yrs were invited to participate in interviews. Thematic analysis was undertaken to uncover themes related to the experience of FCR and coping strategies employed. Interviews were preceded by a demographic questionnaire and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory – Short Form.
RESULTS: Ten older women (age range 68-87 years) with gynaecological cancer (Ovarian = 5, Uterine = 5) were interviewed. Regarding the experience of FCR, emergent themes included fear of burdening others, the emotional impact of the death of close others, and positive or negative experience of prior treatment. Emergent themes in coping with FCR in survivorship included helping others, comparison to others, keeping occupied, and support from others. Patients discussed preferring not to dwell on thoughts of recurrence.
CONCLUSION: The desire to not be a burden on others was a prominent, emergent theme of the FCR experience in this group of older women with gynaecological cancer. These findings are novel in FCR literature as they point to an experience of FCR in older women that may not fit the profile of FCR in the general population. Whilst further work is needed, these findings support the need for a tailored approach to supporting older women through survivorship to ensure optimal quality of life.