title: Breast and ovarian cancer survivors' experience of participating in a cognitive-existential group intervention addressing fear of cancer recurrence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Currently, very few clinical approaches are offered to cancer survivors dealing with fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). This paper provides an overview of cancer survivors' experience and satisfaction after taking part in a six-week, cognitive-existential (CE) group intervention that aimed to address FCR.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this qualitative descriptive study, 12 women with breast or ovarian cancer provided in-depth interviews of their experience in taking part in the CE group intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of their accounts revealed struggles to face their fears. Yet, by embracing their group experience, the women learned how to confront their fears and gain emotional control. The women reported that the group work was highly valuable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From the women's analysed accounts, the authors have proposed recommendations for changes to the group work process before moving the study to a full clinical trial. The study's findings also provide valuable insights to other cancer survivor groups who may also be experiencing FCR.
authors.affiliation: Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; ELLICSR: Cancer Survivorship Program, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: christine.maheu@mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maheu
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lebel
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tomei
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Mary Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Esplen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005086:Existentialism; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000523:psychology*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Breast and ovarian cancer; Cognitive-existential approach; Fear of cancer recurrence; Group intervention; Participation satisfaction; Qualitative study