Fear of cancer recurrence and hope level in patients receiving surgery for non-small cell lung cancer: a study on the mediating role of social support

Purpose To study the level of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in patients receiving surgery for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and explore related factors that can increase levels of hope in this population, enhance the confidence to defeat the disease, and thus increase the quality of life. Methods A total of 327 postoperative NSCLC patients from the National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College were enrolled. All participants completed the General Questionnaire, Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Herth Hope Index (HHI) Scale, and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS). Results The mean FoP-Q-SF score was (30.3 +/- 9.48) points in postoperative NSCLC patients, Among them, there were 188 patients (57.5%) who had psychological dysfunction, indicated by a score of > l = 34. Patient sex and family income were independent risk factors for FCR (both p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed a negative association between FCR and hope level (p < 0.05) and a positive association between hope level and social support (p < 0.05). Notably, social support mediated the association between FCR and hope in patients receiving surgery for NSCLC (contribution effect: 30.24%). Conclusion Postoperative NSCLC patients experience a moderate level of FCR, especially females and those with a low family income. Social support partially mediates the relationship between FCR and hope in this population. Therefore, an increase in the level of social support can increase hope among these patients and advancing recovery.