FORECAST study
Early FORECAST (Fear of cancer recurrence (FoR) trajectory during radiation treatment and follow-up into survivorship of 100 breast cancer patients) results from Humphris group The FORECAST study has completed recruitment and early results show that women undergoing breast cancer radiotherapy report recurrence fears through the duration of their treatment. This study collected through daily diaries and weekly questionnaire booklets fears of cancer recurrence (FCR7) to enable a close investigation of the trajectory of these fears. Results from a latent growth curve analysis show a link between the trajectory and final outcome 2 months following treatment. The communication between the radiotherapist and the patient during weekly appointments when investigated suggests a link between these interactions and outcome. Presentations of this work have been given by Gerry Humphris over the past 3 weeks in Dublin (International Psycho-Oncology Society), Liverpool (International Head and Neck Cancer Quality of Life Workshop); an invited talk from the Department of Health Services Research, Oslo Medical School, Norway; and finally an invited talk at the NIHR Biomedical Research Unit at the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol, Education & Research Centre. This work was generously supported by Breast Cancer Now.
