TY - JOUR
T1 - A qualitative examination of cognitive behavioral therapy strategies and health management content to reduce fear of cancer recurrence among breast cancer survivors
T2 - Results from the FoRtitude study
AU - Beeler, Dori M.
AU - Jeter, Elizabeth
AU - Leitzelar, Brianna N.
AU - Price, Sarah N.
AU - Hall, Daniel L.
AU - Raper, Pamela J.
AU - Levine, Beverly J.
AU - Dunsmore, Victoria J.
AU - Tooze, Janet A.
AU - Duffecy, Jenna
AU - Victorson, David
AU - Gradishar, William
AU - Saphner, Thomas
AU - Smith, Mary Lou
AU - Penedo, Frank
AU - Mohr, David C.
AU - Cella, David
AU - Wagner, Lynne I.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Fear of recurrence (FoR) is common among breast cancer survivors (BCS). We sought to understand BCS’ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and health management content (HMC) intervention component experiences, to aid interpretation of previous findings, and inform future research. HMC comprised health-related content, including managing comorbidities and nutritional information. BCS with elevated FoR were randomized to CBT components (vs HMC) over 4 weeks. Post-participation interviews and additional data from FoRtitude BCS (N = 101) were analyzed. BCS were on average 55 years old (range 26–76 years), White (96%), non-Hispanic (93%), and diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer (87%). Analysis identified four themes: increased self-efficacy, including immediate access and interaction, managing emotional arousal, managing perceived risk of recurrence, and opportunities for future FoRtitude refinements. CBT and HMC play mechanistically distinct yet complementary roles in reducing FoR through increased self-efficacy supported by emotion- and problem-focused coping. Combining such content may be advantageous for reducing BCS’ FoR.Clinicaltrials.gov:
AB - Fear of recurrence (FoR) is common among breast cancer survivors (BCS). We sought to understand BCS’ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and health management content (HMC) intervention component experiences, to aid interpretation of previous findings, and inform future research. HMC comprised health-related content, including managing comorbidities and nutritional information. BCS with elevated FoR were randomized to CBT components (vs HMC) over 4 weeks. Post-participation interviews and additional data from FoRtitude BCS (N = 101) were analyzed. BCS were on average 55 years old (range 26–76 years), White (96%), non-Hispanic (93%), and diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer (87%). Analysis identified four themes: increased self-efficacy, including immediate access and interaction, managing emotional arousal, managing perceived risk of recurrence, and opportunities for future FoRtitude refinements. CBT and HMC play mechanistically distinct yet complementary roles in reducing FoR through increased self-efficacy supported by emotion- and problem-focused coping. Combining such content may be advantageous for reducing BCS’ FoR.Clinicaltrials.gov:
KW - breast cancer survivors
KW - cognitive behavioral therapy strategies
KW - eHealth
KW - fear of recurrence
KW - health management content
KW - mechanisms of action
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105012599174
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105012599174#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.1177/13591053251354867
DO - 10.1177/13591053251354867
M3 - Article
C2 - 40721359
AN - SCOPUS:105012599174
SN - 1359-1053
JO - Journal of Health Psychology
JF - Journal of Health Psychology
M1 - 13591053251354867
ER -
