Pilot of a theoretically grounded psychologist‐delivered intervention for fear of cancer recurrence (<scp>Conquer Fear</scp>)

Abstract

Key pointsTheoretically and empirically grounded treatment options targeting FCR are limited, despite the high prevalence, morbidity, and potential cost of FCR.This paper reports results from a small single-arm pilot study evaluating the acceptability, feasibility, and potential efficacy of a theoretically based intervention for FCR (Conquer Fear).All survivors invited to participate completed the intervention and rated its essentialness and effectiveness highly (mean ratings >7/10).Therapists felt the intervention had: good face validity, strong theoretical foundations, high clinical relevance, and reported increased knowledge about and confidence managing FCR posttraining.Clinically and statistically significant reductions in FCR and cancer-specific anxiety were observed post-intervention and maintained at two-month follow-up for most participants.