Purpose <p>This study tested the association of perceived control of disease with subsequent fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) among adults with cancer. It also examined whether social support modified the association between the perceived control of illness and FCR.</p> Method <p>Data from 430 recently diagnosed breast (63.7%), prostate (26.7%), or colorectal (9.5%) cancer survivors (<i>Mage</i> = 59.0; <i>SD</i> = 11.41) were examined approximately 6&#xa0;months after diagnosis (Time 1) and at 3-month follow-up (Time 2). Multivariate linear regression model was fitted to determine if perceived control at Time 1 was associated with FCR at Time 2 and to test the moderation effect of social support on the association, adjusting for age, cancer type, stage of cancer and cancer treatment.</p> Results <p>Higher perceived control of illness (Time 1) was associated with lower FCR at Time 2 (B =  − 0.145, <i>P</i> &lt; .001). The direct effect of social support on FCR was not significant, but the interaction term (social support and perceived control) was significantly associated with FCR (<i>B</i> = 0.130, <i>P</i> &lt; .05). At lower social support, lower level of perceived control is associated with higher FCR, but at higher social support, lower level of perceived control is associated with lower FCR.</p> Conclusions <p>The results suggest that adult cancer survivors with lower perceived control over their illness may be vulnerable to FCR, but social support may buffer this negative effect.</p> Implications for Cancer Survivors <p>Interventions might profitably focus on improving social support, particularly among those with lower perceived control of their disease.</p>