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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine >

2026 , Vol. 46 >Issue 3: 715 - 725

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.03.011

Original Articles

Association between the fear of cancer recurrence and Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution in breast cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

  • WANG Runxi ,
  • FANG Liyuan ,
  • WANG Yan ,
  • XIE Yi ,
  • FANG Yuhang ,
  • SUI Bailu ,
  • YUAN Xinhe ,
  • CHEN Yu ,
  • ZHANG Ying
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  • 1 1Oncology Department, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100000, China
    2 Graduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100000, China
Prof. ZHANG Ying, Oncology Department of Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100000, China. zylzy501@163.com, Telephone: +86-19840871565

Received date: 2025-04-27

  Accepted date: 2025-09-29

  Online published: 2026-06-08

Supported by

Scientific and Technological Innovation Project of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences: Series Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Oncology Nutrition(CI2022C002-03)

Fold

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitution and fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in breast cancer survivors.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among breast cancer patients at Guang’anmen Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China, during the period from April 9, 2023, to July 2, 2024. Data were collected on participants’ common sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, scores on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI), and TCM constitution classification. Statistical analyses employed independent samples t-test, χ 2 test, Fisher’s exact test, one-way analysis of variance, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, multiple linear regression analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 279 eligible breast cancer patients enrolled in this study. The most prevalent TCM constitutions were ‘Qi-depression’, ‘Peaceful’ and ‘Yang-deficiency’. All nine TCM constitutions of breast cancer patients exhibited significant correlations with FCR scores. The strongest positive correlation was observed between ‘Qi-stagnation’ and FCR (r= 0.5576, P < 0.0001), followed by ‘Qi-deficiency’ (r = 0.4465, P < 0.0001). By contrast, the Peaceful correlation showed a significant negative correlation with FCR (r = －0.363, P < 0.0001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that TCM constitution, lymph node metastasis, and endocrine therapy were influencing factors for FCR in breast cancer patients (P < 0.05). Additionally, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with TCM constitution in breast cancer patients. After adjusting for potential confounding factors including age, disease stage, pathological type, immunohistochemical status, lymph node metastasis, disease duration, and treatment modality, FCR, disease stage, age, and surgical modality were found to be significantly associated with TCM constitution (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a significant association between TCM constitution and FCR in breast cancer patients, suggesting that FCR can potentially be interpreted within the theoretical framework of TCM. These findings thus provide a theoretical foundation for TCMC-informed management strategies targeting FCR in breast cancer patients.

Key words： breast neoplasms; Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution; fear of cancer recurrence; cross-sectional studies

Cite this article

WANG Runxi , FANG Liyuan , WANG Yan , XIE Yi , FANG Yuhang , SUI Bailu , YUAN Xinhe , CHEN Yu , ZHANG Ying . Association between the fear of cancer recurrence and Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution in breast cancer patients: a cross-sectional study[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2026 , 46(3) : 715 -725 . DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2026.03.011

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