Damocles' syndrome revisited: Update on the fear of cancer recurrence in the complex world of today's treatments and survivorship

Hematology/oncology and Stem Cell Therapy
Margaret Cupit-LinkShahrukh K Hashmi

Abstract

Improvements in curative treatments for many types of cancer have emerged over the past several decades, resulting in a growing population of long-term cancer survivors - of both adult and childhood cancers. Despite this incredible medical achievement, long-term survivors of cancer face a unique fear: the fear of relapse. We conducted a review of the literature for data on fear of relapse among cancer survivors. The fear of cancer recurrence is present in survivors of childhood and adult cancers as well as family members and often leads to psychological sequelae. Literature on the fear of cancer recurrence has begun to emerge. However, herein we provide a unique approach through the use of a metaphor: Cicero's story of Damocles' sword. We aim to outline the many fear-related and emotional challenges faced by cancer survivors with an extensive review of studies demonstrating such challenges.

Citations

Mar 22, 2019·Annals of Oncology : Official Journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology·Ø HolmeH O Adami
Nov 26, 2019·European Journal of Cancer Care·Julie ArmoogumCandida S McCabe
Mar 7, 2020·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·Adam P YanPaul C Nathan
Dec 24, 2018·The New England Journal of Medicine·Charles L Shapiro
Dec 23, 2020·Journal of the National Cancer Institute·Tara O Henderson, Kevin C Oeffinger
Mar 24, 2021·Journal of the National Cancer Institute·Lisa GallicchioDeborah K Mayer

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