Fear of cancer recurrence in ovarian cancer caregivers: A qualitative study.

IF 3.3 2区医学 Q2 ONCOLOGY Psycho‐Oncology Pub Date : 2024-01-01 Epub Date: 2023-12-04 DOI:10.1002/pon.6255

Kyra Webb, Louise Sharpe, Hayley Russell, Joanne Shaw

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Abstract

Aim: Although there is growing research exploring survivor fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), little is known about caregiver FCR. To date, examination of caregiver FCR has largely been conducted through the lens of survivor conceptualisations, limiting the development of caregiver-specific models, measures, and interventions. This study aimed to explore experiences of FCR among caregivers of people with ovarian cancer.

Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with caregivers of people with ovarian cancer. Participants, recruited through Ovarian Cancer Australia, also completed an online survey collecting participant and patient demographic characteristics, information about the survivor's disease and caregiver levels of FCR using the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (Caregiver) (FCRI-c). Qualitative interviews explored caregiver fears, how fears and concerns were experienced and the frequency and timing of FCR. Thematic analysis using a Framework Approach was used to analyse the results.

Results: Twenty-four caregivers (54% male) participated in an interview. Most caregivers were providing care for their partner (n = 14). Thematic analysis identified four inter-related themes and associated sub-themes: (1) Fear and uncertainty; (2) Liminality; (3) Hopelessness and (4) Caregiver's protection of the person and self (caregiver's role as protector). Underpinning these themes was an overarching fear of one's family member dying.

Conclusions: Caregivers supporting people with ovarian cancer experience worries and concerns related to cancer recurrence or progression. These experiences are conceptually different to survivor experiences. Fear of one's family member dying, and the dual nature of caregiver protection/self-protection mean it is imperative that interventions are tailored specifically to caregiver needs. Future research facilitating the development of appropriate measures and interventions is essential to reduce caregiver FCR.

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卵巢癌护理人员对癌症复发的恐惧:一项定性研究。

目的:尽管有越来越多的研究探索幸存者对癌症复发的恐惧(FCR)，但对护理者的FCR知之甚少。迄今为止，对照顾者FCR的检查主要是通过幸存者概念化的视角进行的，这限制了照顾者特定模型、措施和干预措施的发展。本研究旨在探讨卵巢癌患者照护者的FCR体验。方法:对卵巢癌患者的护理人员进行半结构化电话访谈。通过澳大利亚卵巢癌协会(Ovarian Cancer Australia)招募的参与者还完成了一项在线调查，收集了参与者和患者的人口统计学特征、幸存者疾病信息以及使用癌症复发恐惧量表(caregiver) (FCRI-c)的护理人员的FCR水平。定性访谈探讨了照顾者的恐惧，恐惧和担忧是如何经历的，以及FCR的频率和时间。使用框架方法的专题分析用于分析结果。结果:24名护理人员(54%为男性)参加了访谈。大多数照顾者为他们的伴侣提供照顾(n = 14)。专题分析确定了四个相互关联的主题和相关的分主题:(1)恐惧和不确定性;(2)文化;(3)绝望;(4)照顾者对人与自我的保护(照顾者作为保护者的角色)。支撑这些主题的是对家庭成员死亡的恐惧。结论:支持卵巢癌患者的护理人员经历了与癌症复发或进展相关的担忧和担忧。这些经历在概念上不同于幸存者的经历。对家庭成员死亡的恐惧，以及照顾者保护/自我保护的双重性质意味着干预措施必须专门针对照顾者的需求。未来的研究促进了适当措施和干预措施的发展，对于减少护理人员FCR至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Psycho‐Oncology 医学-心理学

CiteScore

6.30

自引率

8.30%

发文量

220

审稿时长

3-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Psycho-Oncology is concerned with the psychological, social, behavioral, and ethical aspects of cancer. This subspeciality addresses the two major psychological dimensions of cancer: the psychological responses of patients to cancer at all stages of the disease, and that of their families and caretakers; and the psychological, behavioral and social factors that may influence the disease process. Psycho-oncology is an area of multi-disciplinary interest and has boundaries with the major specialities in oncology: the clinical disciplines (surgery, medicine, pediatrics, radiotherapy), epidemiology, immunology, endocrinology, biology, pathology, bioethics, palliative care, rehabilitation medicine, clinical trials research and decision making, as well as psychiatry and psychology. This international journal is published twelve times a year and will consider contributions to research of clinical and theoretical interest. Topics covered are wide-ranging and relate to the psychosocial aspects of cancer and AIDS-related tumors, including: epidemiology, quality of life, palliative and supportive care, psychiatry, psychology, sociology, social work, nursing and educational issues. Special reviews are offered from time to time. There is a section reviewing recently published books. A society news section is available for the dissemination of information relating to meetings, conferences and other society-related topics. Summary proceedings of important national and international symposia falling within the aims of the journal are presented.