Is fear of recurrence a determinant of breast self-examination awareness in women who have survived breast cancer?

Authors

Evre Yılmaz, Hatice Balcı, Selda Arslan, Gül Kanyılmaz

Published in

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. Volume 34. Issue 11. Nov 01, 2026. Epub Nov 01, 2026.

Abstract

Fear of cancer recurrence is one of the most prevalent and enduring psychosocial challenges encountered by breast cancer survivors. Although this fear can prompt health-monitoring behaviors such as breast self-examination (BSE), comprehensive survivorship care models addressing these psychological dynamics remain limited.
This study was aimed at determining the level of fear of cancer recurrence in women who have survived breast cancer and examining its relationship with their health beliefs and awareness regarding breast self-examination.
This descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted between June 2024 and October 2024 with 259 breast cancer survivors registered at the radiation oncology outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Türkiye. Data were collected using a Patient Information Form, the Champion Health Belief Model Scale, and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory. The study was reported in accordance with the STROBE checklist. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t test, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis.
The mean total score for fear of cancer recurrence among the survivors was 1.42 ± 0.82 points. A statistically significant positive correlation was identified between fear of recurrence and health belief model dimensions, particularly perceived severity and health motivation (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed that fear of cancer recurrence had a significant positive effect on the health belief model (F = 31.690, p < 0.001), explaining 11% of the total variance (R² = 0.110).
Fear of cancer recurrence is common among breast cancer survivors and significantly influences their health beliefs and self-monitoring behaviors. While moderate fear may heighten surveillance awareness through BSE, structured psychosocial support and educational programs are essential to help survivors manage recurrence concerns adaptively within holistic nursing care.

PMID:
42967242
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 01 Nov 2026.

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