Estudios originales
Published on 13 de julio de 2026 | http://doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2026.06.3200
Fear of cancer recurrence and quality of life in early breast cancer survivors: association with clinical and sociodemographic characteristics
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Findings regarding the dialogue with the professional.
| Reason for not discussing (n = 154) | I don't consider it a serious problem | 71 (46.1%) | (38.4%; 54.0%) |
| I didn't know I could discuss it with my doctor | 56 (36.4%) | (29.2%; 44.2%) | |
| I didn't have a chance during the appointment | 27 (17.5%) | (12.3%; 24.3%) | |
| Discussed recurrence (n = 301) | No, but I'd like to discuss it | 83 (27.6%) | (22.8%; 32.9%) |
| No, and I don't think it’s necessary | 71 (23.6%) | (19.1%; 28.7%) | |
| Yes, during more than one appointment | 32 (10.6%) | (7.6%; 14.6%) | |
| Yes, during one appointment | 115 (38.2%) | (32.9%; 43.8%) | |
| Professional’s response (n = 147) | I was referred to another professional | 35 (23.8%) | (17.6%; 31.3%) |
| The risk of recurrence was explained to me clearly and in a way I could understand | 52 (35.4%) | (28.1%; 43.4%) | |
| I was reassured and offered emotional support | 34 (23.1%) | (17.0%; 30.6%) | |
| My concern was not taken into account or was downplayed | 26 (17.7%) | (12.4%; 24.7%) | |
| Did the professional provide strategies? (n = 246) | No, but I would like to receive coping strategies | 71 (28.9%) | (23.6%; 34.8%) |
| No, and I don't think I need them | 110 (44.7%) | (38.6%; 51.0%) | |
| Yes, but I didn't find them helpful | 34 (13.8%) | (10.1%; 18.7%) | |
| Yes, and they were helpful | 31 (12.6%) | (9.0%; 17.3%) | |
| Change in Level of Concern (n = 80) | It has decreased slightly | 6 (7.5%) | (3.5%; 15.4%) |
| It has decreased significantly | 25 (31.2%) | (22.2%; 42.1%) | |
| It has remained the same | 49 (61.2%) | (50.3%; 71.2%) | |
| Type of Support You Would Like (n = 301) | Access to a support group | 61 (20.3%) | (16.1%; 25.2%) |
| Advice on how to manage anxiety related to recurrence | 62 (20.6%) | (16.4%; 25.5%) | |
| Referral to a mental health professional | 21 (7.0%) | (4.6%; 10.4%) | |
| More information about my risk of recurrence | 47 (15.6%) | (12.0%; 20.1%) | |
| I don’t need additional support | 110 (36.5%) | (31.3%; 42.1%) |
CI, Confidence interval.
Notes: Data obtained from the 301 patients included in the study.
Source: Prepared by the authors based on the study results.