Analysis of the fear of cancer recurrence and contributory factors in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective To investigate the fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and its contributory factor in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and to provide evidence for targeted intervention. Methods A total of 228 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who were admitted to the oncology department of two top three hospitals in our city between March to December 2018 were recruited and the FCR was surveyed by using the General Survey, Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ). The single factor analysis, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis were performed to analyze the contributory factor for the FCR score of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Results The FCR score of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma was (37.14±9.28) points; Single factor analysis showed that the FCR scores of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were different in age, education level, monthly income, and tumor clinical stage (all P<0.05); Pearson correlation analysis showed that the FCR of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma was negatively correlated with in-home support, out-of-home support, perceived social support total scores, and positive coping (P<0.05), and positively correlated with negative coping (all P<0.05); Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the positive coping, tumor clinical stage, social support, and education level entered the regression equation in turn (F=29.842, P<0.001; R²=0.368, adjusted R²=0.356). Conclusions The patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma have higher FCR level, positive coping, clinical stage of tumors, social support, and education level are the main contributory factor of FCR in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Health care workers should pay more attentions to the FCR level of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and develop targeted interventions to help patients establish and maintain a good social support system, encourage patients to respond positively, and thus reduce and control the patient's FCR level.