Long-term results of a phase II randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a psychological intervention (Conquer Fear) to reduce clinical levels of fear of cancer recurrence in breast, colorectal, and melanoma cancer survivors.

LBA10000Background: Up to 70% of cancer survivors report clinically significant fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). This parallel RCT evaluated the impact of a psychological intervention, Conquer Fear (CF), on FCR in cancer survivors. Methods: Participants were disease-free stage I-III breast, colorectal or melanoma cancer survivors, 2 months to 5 years post-treatment, who scored above the clinical cut-off (≥13) on the FCR Inventory (FCRI) severity subscale. CF included 5 sessions incorporating attention training, detached mindfulness, challenging unhelpful metacognitions, values clarification and psycho-education. Participants were randomised to the intervention (n= 121) or a relaxation training (RT) control arm (n= 101) (target n= 260). The primary end-point was reduction in FCR (FCRI total) immediately after intervention completion. Follow-up assessments occurred immediately, 3- and 6-months post-treatment. Data analysis was by intention to treat. The differences in change in FCR from baseline between CF ...