ObjectiveTo investigate the current status of cancer recurrence fear in patients with thyroid cancer after surgery and its influencing factors.

MethodsA total of 93 patients with thyroid cancer who underwent surgical treatment were evaluated by the cancer recurrence fear scale (FCRI-SF), disease perception scale, cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire, social support scale and social restriction scale.The current situation and influencing factors of cancer recurrence fear were analyzed.

ResultsThe FCRA-SF score of 93 patients was (13.87±4.04), and 61 patients (65.59%) had more than 13 points.Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the score of FCRI-SF among different gender, age, education, lymph node metastasis and place of residence (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01);There was no significant difference in the score of FCRI-SF among different marital status, occupational status, medical insurance, operation mode and smoking status (P < 0.05).Correlation analysis showed that cancer recurrence fear was positively correlated with disease perception, non-adaptive cognitive strategies, and social limitations (P < 0.01), significantly negatively correlated with social support (P < 0.01), and was not associated with adaptive cognitive strategies (P>0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, disease perception, non-adaptive cognitive strategies, social support and social restriction entered the model (F=59.54, P < 0.01), together explained 61.20% of the cancer recurrence fear.

ConclusionsAge, disease perception, non-adaptive cognitive strategies, social support and social restriction are important influencing factors of the cancer recurrence fear.Clinical nursing should pay more attention to young thyroid cancer patients, improve social support, and reduce social restriction, disease perception and non-adaptive cognitive strategies.