Nina Tauber, clinical psychologist and PhD in psycho-oncology, has developed Fear After Cancer — a free progressive web app for cancer survivors experiencing fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). The app includes a validated self-assessment based on the FCRI Severity Subscale, two interactive ACT-based exercises (Thought Observation and Values Clarification), and longitudinal tracking. It is available at ninatauber.com/app/.
In my years of working with cancer survivors, one thing has become clear: fear of cancer recurrence is one of the most common and least supported experiences after treatment.
The statistics confirm what I see in my clinical work. In a large international study I co-authored — examining data from over 9,000 cancer survivors across 13 countries — we found that approximately 45% scored at clinical levels of fear of cancer recurrence. Nearly one in five scored at levels where specialised intervention would be recommended.
And yet, most people who carry this fear never receive support for it. Some don’t know that what they’re experiencing has a name. Others assume it’s just something they have to live with. Many feel that they should be grateful to have survived and feel guilty for still being afraid.
That’s why I built Fear After Cancer.
What the app does
Fear After Cancer is a free app — no download needed, it works in your browser — that helps cancer survivors understand and work with their fear of recurrence.
It starts with a validated self-assessment based on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, the most widely used screening tool in FCR research. Twelve questions, about three minutes. You receive personalised results — not just a score, but an explanation of what it means, written with the kind of context that I would offer in a clinical setting.
Your results also reflect something I’ve observed repeatedly in practice: that the intensity of fear and the burden of fear don’t always match. Some people score high on the questionnaire but don’t feel heavily burdened — they’ve found ways to carry it. Others score in the moderate range but feel overwhelmed. The app captures both dimensions and responds accordingly.
It also includes two interactive exercises grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy — the approach I use in my clinical work:
Thought Observation helps you practise seeing your fear-related thoughts from a distance — noticing them as thoughts rather than experiencing them as facts. This is the core of what ACT calls cognitive defusion, and it’s particularly powerful for the kind of catastrophic thinking that fear of recurrence generates.
Values Clarification helps you reconnect with what matters to you beyond your health — the parts of your life that fear has been quietly narrowing. It doesn’t ask you to ignore the fear. It asks you to notice what else is there.
Both exercises can be repeated. They’re designed to be useful not just the first time, but every time — because what you bring to them changes as your experience changes.
Why free?
Because the people who need this most are often the people who don’t yet know that support for fear of cancer recurrence exists. A free, accessible tool removes every barrier between someone and the realisation that what they’re experiencing is common, well-understood, and responsive to help.
The app is a starting point — not a replacement for therapy, but an entry point for understanding. For those who want to go deeper, I’ve also created The Fear That Stays Toolkit — an evidence-based eBook with three guided audio exercises — and I offer individual sessions for cancer survivors internationally.
But the assessment and exercises are free, and they always will be.
Try it
You can access Fear After Cancer at ninatauber.com/app/. It works on any device — phone, tablet, or computer. No download, no account required. Your data stays on your device unless you choose to save it.
If you find it helpful, I’d be grateful if you shared it with someone who might need it. Fear of cancer recurrence thrives in silence. The more people who know it has a name — and that there are tools for it — the better.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to download anything?
No. Fear After Cancer is a web app — it works directly in your browser on any device. You can also save it to your phone’s home screen for easy access, and it will look and feel like a regular app.
Is it really free?
Yes. The self-assessment, both exercises, and the ability to track your results over time are completely free. The Fear That Stays Toolkit (eBook with guided audio exercises) is a separate paid product for those who want to go deeper.
Who is this for?
Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer and experiences fear or worry about it coming back. It is also relevant for loved ones of cancer survivors who carry their own fear about recurrence.
Can I use it alongside therapy?
Absolutely. The self-assessment can give you and your therapist a shared starting point, and the exercises complement most therapeutic approaches. If you’re currently working with a psychologist, you’re welcome to share your results with them.
Is this a replacement for therapy?
No. The app is a self-help tool — it provides insight and practical exercises, but it does not replace individual support from a qualified professional. If your results suggest a high level of fear of cancer recurrence, I’d encourage you to consider working with someone who specialises in this area.
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
ACT is an evidence-based psychological approach that helps people develop a different relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings — not by eliminating them, but by reducing their control over your life. Instead of fighting fear, ACT helps you make room for it while still moving toward what matters to you.
How often should I retake the assessment?
There’s no strict rule, but roughly once a month gives you a meaningful picture of how things are changing. It can also be helpful to take it before and after scan appointments to track the pattern of scanxiety.
Is my data safe?
Yes. If you use the app without creating an account, no data leaves your device at all. If you create an account, your data is stored on your device and your email is added to my mailing list only if you opt in. I never share individual health data. See the full privacy policy in the app for details.
Can I share this with someone?
Please do. You can share the link ninatauber.com/app/ directly. Fear of cancer recurrence is one of the most common experiences after treatment and one of the least talked about. The more people who know there are tools for it, the better.
Nina Tauber is a clinical psychologist with a PhD in psycho-oncology, specialising in fear of cancer recurrence. She has led research on the prevalence and treatment of fear of recurrence, including the development and testing of manual-based psychological interventions at Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, in collaboration with international research partners. She works with cancer survivors and their loved ones online, from wherever they are in the world.
References
Luigjes-Huizer, Y.L., Tauber, N.M., Humphris, G., et al. (2022). What is the prevalence of fear of cancer recurrence in cancer survivors and patients? A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. Psycho-Oncology, 31(6), 879–892.
Simard, S. & Savard, J. (2009). Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory: development and initial validation of a multidimensional measure of fear of cancer recurrence. Supportive Care in Cancer, 17(3), 241–251.
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