Young Adult Cancer Survivors' Perspectives on Cancer's Impact on Different Life Areas Post-Treatment: A Qualitative Study

Hannah Arem, Healthcare Delivery Research, MedStar Health Research Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Danielle A. Duarte, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Benjamin White, Department of Health Policy and Management, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Katie Vinson, Department of Health Policy and Management, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Pamela Hinds, Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Nathan Ball, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Kyla Dennis, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Darcey M. McCready, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Lauren A. Cafferty, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Carla J. Berg, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

5-2-2024

Journal

Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology

DOI

10.1089/jayao.2024.0021

Keywords

cancer survivorship; health promotion; positive psychology; quality of life; young adult cancer survivors

Abstract

Young adult cancer survivors experience disruptions in various life domains (e.g., relationships, academic/career) during and after treatment. This study examined life disruptions and related supports to update interventions to improve psychological outcomes. In April-July 2023, young adult survivors ( = 23) were recruited (via clinics, support groups, nonprofit organizations, etc.) to complete semi-structured interviews assessing cancer's impact across life domains, how they coped with related disruptions, and facilitators to improved psychosocial well-being. We used a dual deductive-inductive approach to develop a codebook and then coded transcripts in Dedoose. This sample was on average 33.7 years old (standard deviation [SD] = 4.4), 78.3% female, 73.9% non-Hispanic White, 47.8% married/cohabitating, 2.4 (SD = 1.0) years post-diagnosis, 1.4 years (SD = 0.9) post-treatment, and largely diagnosed with breast cancer (52.1%) or leukemia/lymphoma (34.7%). The most salient themes related to disruptions included mental health, feelings of isolation during survivorship, and disruptions to career and relationships with family or partners. Participants reported challenges navigating these feelings and disruptions, and difficulty understanding and conveying their needs. Many experienced limited support for navigating cancer-related trauma and life disruptions as a survivor. Participants also reported some positive impacts, like reevaluating their values and goals or feeling resilient, and emphasized the need to identify supports, accept that life had changed because of cancer, and have their needs and continued struggles validated by others during survivorship. Young adults experience ongoing disruptions across multiple life domains, underscoring the need for integrated, longer-term psychosocial supports to help them navigate these disruptions and reevaluate their goals.

Department

Prevention and Community Health

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