title: How breast cancer survivors cope with fear of recurrence: a focus group study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this qualitative study was to examine the ways in which breast cancer survivors cope with fear of recurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three focus groups were held with breast cancer survivors. Focus group interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative techniques. Coding was done on two levels: styles and strategies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven women participated. The majority of the women (74 %) were a little anxious, and some patients (11 %) were somewhat anxious about the possibility of cancer recurrence. Most women (74 %) indicated to think a few times a month about the possibility of cancer recurrence. Different coping styles were reported, but commonly, women (80 %) reported an emotion-focused coping strategy. About half of the women (49 %) used passive or avoidant coping styles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The emotion-focused coping strategy was most commonly used. This information can be used to provide tailored psychosocial care.
authors.affiliation: CoRPS, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands, j.devries@uvt.nl.
authors.forename: Jolanda
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Vries
authors.forename: Brenda L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Den Oudsten
authors.forename: Patty M E P
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Jan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Roukema
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*