Online program helps bowel cancer survivors manage their fears about cancer returning

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-11-12 03:00

Australia; International; NSW; SA; ACT

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

A therapist-guided online program has been shown to help people who have survived bowel cancer to better manage their concerns about cancer coming back or getting worse. The study from Danish and Australian authors found that the group of around 50 people who underwent the program had lower levels of fear after three months compared to the control group. Anxiety, depression, emotional distress, quality of life, and burden of physical symptoms were also improved.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: The University of New South Wales, The Australian National University, The University of Sydney, Flinders University, University Hospital of Southern Denmark

Funder: This study was funded by grants 12781, 16561, and 17152 from the Danish Cancer Society and grants 146250 and 152299 from the Tryg Foundation (all to Dr Lyhne) as well as by the Dagmar Marshall Foundation; Fabrikant Einar Willumsen Memorial Fund; Overlæge JørgenWerner Schou and Wife Else Marie Schou, BornWonge Fund; Tømrermester Jørgen Holm’s Memorial Grant; Region of Southern Denmark; and Research Council of Lillebaelt Hospital. Mr Smith’s contribution to the study was supported through Cancer Institute NSW Career Development Fellowship 2021/CDF1138 from the New SouthWales Government. Dr Fardell is a Maridulu Budyari Gumal (SPHERE) Cancer CAG Senior Research Fellow, and her contribution to the study was supported by Cancer Institute NSW Research Capacity Building Grant 2021/CBG003.

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