Main description:

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the United States. The improvement of screening procedures and treatments have led to higher survival rates, and consequently to an increased number of individuals who fear that their cancer might come back.

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is defined as the fear, worry, or concern that cancer may come back or progress. FCR has been found to be the number one unmet need of cancer survivors. High levels of FCR are associated with greater psychological distress, impaired functioning, decreased quality of life, and increased medical consultations, psychotropic usage and health-care costs. It is therefore crucial to offer these patients an appropriate and effective treatment. The books first propose a theoretical model of FCR that identifies the five main targets of intervention in this program: 1) cognitive interpretation; 2) behavioural avoidance; 3) cognitive avoidance; 4) reassurance and control seeking; 5) intolerance of uncertainty. Then, each target is discussed and specific cognitive-behavioural therapy strategies are suggested that focus on each of them based on the best available empirical evidence for the treatment of anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder) and cancer-related anxiety.

This book will be of interest to clinicians working with cancer patients such as psychologists and other health care providers as well as cancer patients and survivors. Graduate students in clinical health psychology, and connecting disciplines such as psycho-oncology, psychiatry, nursing, social work, rehabilitation, spiritual care, and sexology might also find this text of value.

Contents:

Therapist Manual Patient ManualIntroduction- Welcoming and introduction ofleaders- Authors and format of theprogram- Participants' introduction- Goals of the programInformation about Fear of CancerRecurrence (FCR)- Definition- When is FCR normal or not?- Characteristics associated withFCR- Vicious circle of FCRInformation about Fear of CancerRecurrence (FCR)- Definition- When is FCR normal or not?- Characteristics associated withFCR- Vicious circle of FCRBeliefs about the Influence ofPsychological Factors on Cancer- Does stress cause cancer?o Research evidenceCan Thoughts Influence Cancer?- Beliefs about the influence ofpsychological factors on cancer- Multifactorial model of cancer4o Multifactorial model ofcancer- Can the power of thought curecancer?o Research evidence- Does stress cause cancer?- Does thought have the power tocure cancer?- Can positive thinking help youcope with cancer?The Cognitive Model of Emotions The Cognitive Model of Emotions- Cancer: A distressing experience- The cognitive model andadjustment to cancerThe Benefits of Realistic Thinking- The tyranny of positive thinking- Realistic thinking and cancero Analogy with glasseso EffectsThe Benefits of Realistic Thinking- The tyranny of positive thinking- Fighting cancer?- Dark, rose-coloured, or clearglasses?- Realistic thinking and cancerCognitive-Behavioral Therapy- Definition- Research evidenceIdentification of Negative ThoughtsExerciseEnd of Session Discussion SummarySession 2Therapist Manual Patient ManualContent of the SessionFeedback on Last Treatment SessionFeedback on ExerciseCognitive Restructuring- The case of Elise- Socratic questioningCognitive Restructuring- The 5-column grid- Socratic questioningRealistic Interpretation of SomaticSymptoms- Using four objective criteria- Finding balance between neglectand hypervigilanceRealistic Interpretation of SomaticSymptoms- Using four objective criteria- Finding balance between neglectand hypervigilanceInformation-Seeking Profiles- Seeking the right amount ofinformation and from validsourcesInformation-Seeking Profiles- Seeking the right amount ofinformation and from validsourcesRealistic Interpretation of Probabilitiesand Statistics- Risk of recurrenceRealistic Interpretation of Probabilitiesand Statistics- Risk of recurrence5- Survival rate- Risk reduction with treatment- Survival rate- Risk reduction with treatmentCognitive Restructuring ExerciseEnd of Session Discussion SummarySession 3Therapist Manual Patient ManualContent of the SessionFeedback on Last Treatment SessionFeedback on ExerciseIntolerance of Uncertainty- Cancer = Uncertainty- Learning to better tolerateuncertaintyIntolerance of Uncertainty- Cancer = Uncertainty- Possible to be happy withoutbeing certain that cancer will notcome back?- Learning to better tolerateuncertaintyUsefulness and Impact of Worries- Revising erroneous beliefs aboutthe usefulness of worries (e.g.,belief that worrying will increasethe probability of an event tooccur)- Behavioral experiment: Thinkingthat something bad will happenUsefulness and Impact of Worries- Revising erroneous beliefs aboutthe usefulness of worries (e.g.,belief that worrying will increasethe probability of an event tooccur)o Evidence that it is true/nottrueo Behavioral experimentBehavioral Avoidance- The importance of facing fears- Avoidance and habituation curves- Rules for an effective exposure- Avoidance and cancer- Behavioral exposureBehavioral Avoidance- The importance of facing fears- Avoidance and habituation curves- Avoidance and cancero Examples of avoidancebehaviors in the context ofcancer- Behavioral exposureBehavioral Exposure Exercises Behavioral Exposure Exercises- List of cancer-related avoidantbehaviors6- Behavioral exposure procedureand gridEnd of Session DiscussionSession 4Therapist Manual Patient ManualContent of the SessionFeedback on Last Treatment SessionFeedback on ExerciseCognitive Avoidance- The camel exercise- The importance of facing fearsCognitive Avoidance- The camel exerciseStrategies to Reduce Cognitive Avoidance- Cognitive restructuring- Worry time- Learning to tolerate negativethoughts and emotions- Cognitive exposureFacing fears- Cognitive restructuring- Worry time- Learning to tolerate negativethoughts and emotions- Cognitive exposureReassurance Seeking- When is it too much?- Tolerating the discomfortReassurance Seeking- When is it too much?Tolerating the discomfortControl Seeking Behavior- Drastic lifestyle changes may beexcessive control seeking behavior- Make changes that are realisticand are in accordance with ownvaluesControl Seeking Behavior- Drastic lifestyle changes may beexcessive control seeking behaviorMake changes that are realistic and are inaccordance with own valuesWhat if Cancer Returns?- Recurrence deathWhat if Cancer Returns?Recurrence deathRedefining Life Goals- Why having life goals isimportant?- The Alfred case- Redefining life goals in two stepsRedefining Life Goals- Why having life goals isimportant?- Redefining life goals in two steps(grids)End of Session DiscussionSummary of Treatment Program