Lim Hui Li, Suhail Mohammed K, Lim Chun Sen, Daher Aqil M
School of Postgraduate Studies, IMU University, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia.
Institute for Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, Shah Alam, 40170, Malaysia.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 6;15(1):922. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-82143-x.
Fear of progression (FoP) is a stressful psychosocial condition that affects health and quality of life. Breast cancer is recognized as the most prevalent cancer among women globally. This study aims to determine the prevalence of FoP, coping strategies, and associated factors among Malaysian female breast cancer survivors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 242 female breast cancer patients recruited from the south of Malaysia using simple random sampling method. The questionnaire captured sociodemographic characteristics, clinical factors, coping strategies and FoP level. Factors associated with FoP were investigated using multiple logistic regression analysis. The mean age was 55.1 (± 10.9) years. Majority of them were Malays, attained secondary ducation and above, married, unemployed, and in advanced cancer stages. Most patients had low FoP levels, with a smaller proportion having moderate-to-high FoP levels (10.7%). Higher education (AOR = 5.10, P = 0.050), being employed (AOR = 3.85, P = 0.020), advanced can cer stage (AOR = 4.23, P = 0.030), and adoption of avoidant coping strategy (AOR = 1.19, P = 0.009), were associated with higher FoP level. The level of FoP is low among Malaysian females with breast cancer. Higher levels of FoP were associated with higher educational levels, employment status, advanced cancer stage, and utilization of avoidant coping strategies. The fundamental cognitive process mainly affects FoP, rather than disease-related factors.
疾病进展恐惧（FoP）是一种影响健康和生活质量的应激性心理社会状况。乳腺癌被认为是全球女性中最常见的癌症。本研究旨在确定马来西亚女性乳腺癌幸存者中疾病进展恐惧的患病率、应对策略及相关因素。采用简单随机抽样方法，对从马来西亚南部招募的242名女性乳腺癌患者进行了横断面调查。问卷收集了社会人口学特征、临床因素、应对策略和疾病进展恐惧水平。使用多因素逻辑回归分析研究与疾病进展恐惧相关的因素。平均年龄为55.1（±10.9）岁。她们中的大多数是马来人，接受过中等及以上教育，已婚，失业，且处于癌症晚期。大多数患者的疾病进展恐惧水平较低，只有较小比例的患者处于中度至高度疾病进展恐惧水平（10.7%）。高等教育（比值比[AOR]=5.10，P=0.050）、就业（AOR=3.85，P=0.020）、癌症晚期（AOR=4.23，P=0.030）以及采用回避应对策略（AOR=1.19，P=0.009）与较高的疾病进展恐惧水平相关。马来西亚乳腺癌女性的疾病进展恐惧水平较低。较高的疾病进展恐惧水平与较高的教育水平、就业状况、癌症晚期以及回避应对策略的使用有关。基本认知过程主要影响疾病进展恐惧，而非疾病相关因素。
