The relationship between illness representations, risk perception and fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors

ObjectiveFear of cancer recurrence, although distinct from distress continues to be underâ evaluated, captured, or treated when standard distress scales are used to assess concerns of cancer survivors. We tested a model assessing the association of demographic and clinical factors, illness representations, and perceived risk with fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors.MethodsWe recruited 117 breast cancer survivors at least one year after completing breast cancer treatment from Internet discussion boards for this crossâ sectional, descriptive, correlational study. Participants completed a survey that assessed their level of fear of cancer recurrence as well as their illness representations, perceived risk of recurrence, and demographic and medical characteristics.ResultsOur model explained 62% of the variance in fear of cancer recurrence. Emotional representations (βâ =â .46, pâ <â .01), symptom attribution (βâ =â .21, pâ <â .01), timeline (βâ =â .23, pâ <â .01), and consequences (βâ =â .16, pâ