The effects of physical symptoms, self-efficacy and social constraints on fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors: Examining the mediating role of illness representations.

In this study, the effects of physical symptoms, social constraints and self-efficacy on FCR were found to be mediated by illness representation. Reducing the impact of negative illness representations on FCR by reducing physical symptoms, increasing self-efficacy, and promoting open disclosure of cancer-related concerns may be effective in reducing FCR in BCS.