The Impact of Unmet Needs on Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional and Multivariate Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to determine the fear of recurrence and the unmet needs among cancer survivors. It also explores the associations between the fear of recurrence, unmet needs and sociodemographic factors. Patients and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out with 147 cancer survivors. The study was conducted between September 2023 and December 2024 in the training and research hospital. The data were collected using the Participant Assessment Form, the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI), the Cancer Survivors’ Unmet Needs (CaSUN-TR) Scale. Results: The findings of this study indicates that the median age of the survivors was 56 years. It was found that the fear of recurrence significantly increased with family history of cancer (p=0.001) and total unmet needs were significantly higher among females and those receiving psychological support (p=0.016; p=0.017). The regression analysis was found having a family history of cancer (ß=9.878), and total unmet needs (ß=9.939) and psychosocial support (ß=0.433) predicted the fear of cancer recurrence. Gender (ß=−0.171), psychological support (ß=0.188), and quality of life (ß=0.485) were identified as predictors of the unmet needs of cancer survivors. Conclusion: It was determined that increased unmet needs and a family history of cancer influence on the fear of cancer recurrence in cancer survivors. Therefore, determining the needs of patients receiving cancer treatment and informing patients, particularly those with a family history of cancer, is clinically important.