Disruptions in Cancer Care Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Women with Breast Cancer: A Mixed-Methods Study.
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Mc Brearty C; School of Psychology, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.; Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada.; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.; Bisaillon L; School of Psychology, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.; Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada.; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.; Dorval M; Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada.; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.; Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.; CISSS de Chaudière-Appalaches Research Center, Lévis, QC G6V 3Z1, Canada.; Nabi H; Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada.; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.; Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.; Desbiens C; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.; Centre des Maladies du Sein, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.; Lemieux J; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.; Centre des Maladies du Sein, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.; Théberge V; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.; Centre des Maladies du Sein, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.; Baghdadli A; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.; Lauzier S; Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada.; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.; Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.; Savard J; School of Psychology, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.; Université Laval Cancer Research Center, Quebec, QC G1R 3S3, Canada.; Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec, QC G1S 4L8, Canada.
- Source
- Publisher: MDPI Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 9502503 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1718-7729 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 11980052 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Curr Oncol Subsets: MEDLINE
- Subject
- Language
- English
Objective: This study investigated if fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) levels and the proportion of women having a clinical level of FCR differed by whether women had or had not experienced disruptions in their cancer tests and treatments due to the pandemic.
Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study between November 2020 and March 2021 among women diagnosed with breast cancer in the previous five years at the time of their entry in the study. Women completed a questionnaire online assessing disruptions in breast cancer tests and treatments due to the pandemic and the severity subscale of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with a subsample of 24 participants and were thematically analyzed.
Results: The proportion of patients with a clinical level of FCR was significantly higher among those who experienced the postponement or cancellation of diagnostic and disease progression tests (e.g., blood tests, X-rays, or magnetic resonance imaging; adjusted PR = 1.27 95% CI = 1.13-1.43). Qualitative findings suggest that FCR was exacerbated by the pandemic context. In particular, perceived or actual barriers to care access due to the pandemic were identified as significant FCR-enhancing factors.
Conclusions: These results highlight the need to keep diagnostic and progression tests as timely as possible to prevent increases in FCR levels and offer counselling about FCR when postponing or cancellation are inevitable.