Fear of Cancer Recurrence

Fear of cancer recurrence is a pervasive and often debilitating anxiety for many cancer patients, as studies show that 59% of survivors experience ongoing concerns about cancer returning or progressing.

The Fear of Recurrence Therapy (FORT) program, developed by Dr. Sophie Lebel and Dr. Christine Maheu, teaches coping strategies like relaxation and cognitive restructuring, helps increase uncertainty tolerance, and assists in re-evaluating life priorities to manage fear of cancer recurrence.

The program focuses on:

• Differentiating between worrisome and harmless symptoms.
• Identifying triggers and non-adaptive coping strategies.
• Learning new coping mechanisms, such as relaxation techniques and cognitive restructuring.
• Increasing tolerance for uncertainty.
• Promoting emotional expression of underlying fears.
• Helping you re-examine life priorities and set realistic future goals.

The program comprises a pre-screening interview and 6 closed group sessions. It is a co-facilitated therapist-led group intervention consisting of 6 weekly sessions, each 2 hours long. Content will build from week to week and participants are required to complete homework in between sessions.