Assessing the relationship between fear of cancer recurrence and health care utilization in early-stage breast cancer survivors

Otto AK, Soriano EC, Siegel SD, LoSavio ST, Laurenceau JP

J Cancer Surviv 2018 Oct;

PMID: 30341560

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is associated with greater health care utilization (HCU) in early-stage breast cancer survivors.

METHODS: Three hundred early-stage breast cancer survivors diagnosed within the past 7 years reported on FCR as well as calls and visits to oncology providers and primary care providers during the preceding 3 months. Participants also reported on use of mental health services and psychotropic medications since diagnosis. Structural equation modeling was used to create a latent FCR factor and evaluate this factor as a predictor of various HCU outcomes controlling for age at diagnosis, years since diagnosis, generalized anxiety, objective risk of recurrence, and number of comorbidities.

RESULTS: FCR predicted more visits to both oncology providers (RR = 1.53, p = .002) and primary care providers (RR = 1.31, p = .013), as well as more phone calls to oncology providers (RR = 2.08, p = .007). FCR was not a significant predictor of phone calls to primary care providers (RR = 1.39, p = .054), utilization of mental health treatment (OR = 1.27, p = .362), or use of psychotropic medications (OR = 1.37, p = .178).

CONCLUSIONS: FCR was associated with increases in some types of HCU, which may reflect excessive medical reassurance-seeking and lead to unnecessary medical costs.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: FCR is a serious concern that warrants greater attention to reduce distress-related health care utilization. Utilization of mental health services to address FCR may represent higher-value health care.

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