Fear of cancer recurrence: a significant concern among partners of prostate cancer survivors

Objectives The aims of the study were to (1) describe the prevalence of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in partners of prostate cancer (PCa) survivors; (2) to compare the proportions of high FCR in partners with high FCR in PCa survivors; (3) to explore partners' demographic and survivors' clinical characteristics associated with high FCR in partners; and (4) to identify the relationship between high FCR and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in partners. Methods Questionnaires were sent to partners of disease-free PCa survivors. Outcomes included FCR severity (Cancer Worry Scale [CWS]) and HRQoL (RAND-36). The t and chi-square tests were used to compare partner FCR with survivor FCR. Regression analyses were performed to determine if demographic and clinical characteristics were significantly associated with partner FCR. The multivariate analysis of variance identified differences in HRQoL between partners with high and low FCR. Results Questionnaires were completed by 168 partners. Mean levels of FCR were comparable between partners and survivors (P = .144). Thirty-five percent of partners reported high FCR (CWS ≥ 14) compared to 38% of PCa survivors (CWS ≥ 13) (P = .542). Higher survivor FCR and younger partner age were significantly associated with higher partner FCR. Partners with high FCR scored significantly lower on social functioning, emotional role functioning, mental health, general health, and vitality than those with low FCR (all P < .05). Conclusions Findings from this study illustrate that FCR is a significant concern for partners of PCa survivors. Clinicians should be aware of partner FCR when delivering care to men with PCa.