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Cancer

Fear of Cancer Progression Linked to Depression in Cancer Patients

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new study published in the Journal of Psychology & Psychiatry has found a significant correlation between fear of cancer progression and depression in patients with cancer. The research, conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, analyzed data from 170 patients with cancer who visited a Stress Management Clinic between September 2022 and August 2023. The study revealed that higher scores on the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF) were significantly correlated with elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and dysfunctional beliefs about sleep.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found a significant correlation between fear of cancer progression and depression in patients with cancer.
  • Higher scores on the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF) were significantly correlated with elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and dysfunctional beliefs about sleep.
  • The research suggested that psychological inflexibility and cancer-related dysfunctional beliefs about sleep mediate the relationship between depression and fear of cancer progression in patients with cancer.
  • The study was conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center and analyzed data from 170 patients with cancer who visited a Stress Management Clinic between September 2022 and August 2023.
  • The researchers used a range of self-reported rating scales, including the Action and Acceptance Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), State subcategory of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Cancer-related Dysfunctional Beliefs about Sleep scale (C-DBS).
  • The study concluded that addressing fear of cancer progression and related psychological inflexibility and dysfunctional beliefs may be a crucial aspect of treating depression in patients with cancer.

Statistics:

  • The study examined data from 170 patients with cancer who visited a Stress Management Clinic.
  • The research found a significant correlation between FoP-Q-SF scores and elevated symptoms of depression (r = 0.56), anxiety (r = 0.17), insomnia (r = 0.21), and dysfunctional beliefs about sleep (r = 0.34).
  • The study showed that FoP-Q-SF scores were significantly associated with younger age (b = -0.25, p < 0.001).

Sources:

  • NewsRx, American University of Beirut Medical Center Reports Findings in Cancer (Effect of Psychological Inflexibility and Cancer-Related Dysfunctional Beliefs About Sleep on the Relationship Between Depression and Fear of Progression in Patients with ...). Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. June 21, 2025; p 58.
  • Springer, Psychiatric Quarterly, 2025.

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