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A single‐session intervention (the Mini‐AFTERc) for fear of cancer recurrence: A feasibility study
Author(s) -
Davidson J.,
Malloch M.,
Humphris G.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.4724
Subject(s) - session (web analytics) , intervention (counseling) , computer science , content (measure theory) , cancer , information retrieval , psychology , world wide web , medicine , psychiatry , mathematics , mathematical analysis
One of the most prevalent concerns for cancer survivors is fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), defined as “the fear that cancer may return or progress in the same place or another part of the body.” Roughly half of all cancer survivors report moderate FCR, and an intensive intervention may be counterproductive for these patients. A short intervention used as part of routine care may be helpful to prevent FCR from increasing. The 6‐session AFTER intervention has been adapted into a single‐session intervention named the Mini‐Adjustment to Fear, Threat and Expectation of Recurrence (“Mini‐AFTERc”). This, 30‐minute, single‐session intervention is designed for patients with moderate FCR and for it to be incorporated into routine cancer care by specialist cancer nurses. The intervention may assist patients with severe FCR; however, the small duration and intensity may be insufficient. For higher FCR levels, a multisession intervention may be recommended. The aim of this study was to conduct a small, feasibility study by using the Mini‐AFTERc intervention with breast cancer patients with moderate FCR. The objectives were to (i) assess the feasibility of incorporating the intervention into routine care, (ii) evaluate the intervention effect, and (iii) assess the fidelity to the intervention manual.