Exploring Factors Associated with Fear of Falling among Women with Breast Cancer: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Fear of falling (FOF) is common in the cancer population and impact negatively their mental status, physical activity level as well as quality of life. FOF-associated factors are not investigated in women with breast cancer (BC). Therefore, exploring all possible factors associated with FOF was the aim of this study. Method: 188 women with BC were recruited from three major hospitals in Jordan. Demographic, disease, and clinical variable information were collected. FOF was measured using the Arabic version of the Fall Efficacy Score International (FESI). Descriptive analyses (means± standard deviation, and frequency) were carried out for the following variables: demographic, disease, and clinical. Regression analyses were conducted to investigate factors associated with FOF. Results: The mean age of the 182 women with BC was 52.1±9.8, and most of them had either stage 3 (40%) or stage 4 (30%) with 83% of them having surgery. Regression analyses showed that age, stage of breast cancer, depression, and fatigue were positively associated with FOF (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: FOF is associated with multiple factors (age, stage of breast cancer, depression, and fatigue). Healthcare professionals should consider evaluating FOF and its potential contributing factors among women grappling with breast cancer. Doing so can significantly enhance overall outcomes and care for these individuals.