The Efficacy of a Brief Oncologist-delivered Intervention for Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Breast, Ovarian, Lung, and Prostate Cancer: A Cluster-randomized Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a new Clinician-led Intervention called CIFeR to address Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) in survivors of breast, ovarian, lung, and prostate cancer. This trial will adapt the Australian CIFeR program to the Danish oncology setting and develop an e-learning program to train oncologists. The study aims to compare CIFeR with usual follow-up care and explore how well the intervention is accepted, feasible, and used in routine care. The trial is a cluster-randomized controlled study with oncologists as the unit of randomization. Oncologists treating eligible cancer patients are assigned either to deliver the CIFeR intervention or to continue usual care. The CIFeR intervention includes five key parts: normalizing FCR, offering prognostic information, educating on warning symptoms, advising on worry management techniques, and referring to psychologists if needed. Patients receive the intervention during their first follow-up visit after completing their primary cancer treatment. Participants will complete questionnaires before the intervention, one week after, and three months later to assess changes in FCR and related outcomes like anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Oncologists will complete surveys about their confidence in managing FCR and feedback on the intervention. A subset of patients and oncologists will also take part in interviews to share their experience. The study will monitor the delivery and sustainability of CIFeR over time, with total participation lasting at least three months post-intervention.

CIFeR - A Clinician-led Intervention to Address Fear of Cancer Recurrence