Somatosensory amplification and psychological distress in cancer survivors: the mediating role of fear of cancer recurrence

Introduction: Somatosensory amplification (SSA) refers to the tendency to experience body sensations as intense, noxious, and disturbing, and is associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression among cancer survivors. Body sensations among survivors are highly attributed to the possibility of cancer recurrence, thus triggering fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Given that FCR itself is correlated with higher psychological distress, in this study we examined the mediating role of FCR in the relationship between SSA and symptoms of anxiety and depression among cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: One hundred and seventeen cancer survivors up to 10 years post-diagnosis took part in this cross-sectional study. Measures consisted of a demographic and medical questionnaire; the anxiety and depression domains of the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS); the Somatosensory Amplification Scale; and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form. Mediation analyses were conducted to determine whether FCR mediated the relationships between SSA and both anxiety and depression. Results: SSA was found to be positively correlated with anxiety, depression, and FCR, and FCR was found to be positively correlated with anxiety and depression. FCR was found to fully mediate the relationships between SSA and both anxiety and depression. Conclusion: The findings suggest that FCR may serve as a mechanism linking SSA to psychological distress, highlighting the need to consider targeting FCR in interventions for cancer survivors.