How is #fearofrecurrence experienced by #childhoodcancer survivors across the developmental trajectory?

A thread on our new model of fear of cancer recurrence in childhood cancer survivors.

Commentary now published in Psycho-Oncology
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pon.5576

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#FCR is among the most prevalent and distressing concerns reported by #cancersurvivors.

While younger age is the most consistent predictor of elevated FCR, research to date has focused almost exclusively on adult survivors.

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This is despite the fact that kids are more likely to survive cancer & are lifelong users of the medical system. They also have the most vital decades of their lives to plan for, making #FCR a relevant issue.

Yet, only a few studies have explored #FCR in peds populations.

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In our new commentary @LCHeathcote and I present a developmental perspective of FCR from infancy through to young adulthood

First we propose 3 groupings of childhood cancer survivors as this term refers to ppl who exist across all developmental stages

@designsthatcell

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We draw on the developmental science literature & recent theoretical advancements in #FCR to outline various #cognitive and #social factors likely influence FCR in #childhoodcancer survivors.

Many aspects of FCR theory have developmental components that must be considered.

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We also highlight priority research areas for understanding #FCR in childhood cancer survivors across various domains including:

Measurement
Prevalence
Risk & Protective Factors
Consequences
Interventions
#KT & #PatientEngagement

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In sum, #FCR in #ChildhoodCancer survivors is a clinically important but neglected area of cancer research.

Rigorous, theoretically driven empirical research is urgently needed to define the experience and consequences of FCR across the developmental trajectory.

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