Title | Engagement and experience with cancer-related follow-up care among young adult survivors of childhood cancer after transfer to adult care. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2016 |
Authors | Szalda D, Pierce L, Hobbie W, Ginsberg JP, Brumley L, Wasik M, Li Y, Schwartz LA |
Journal | J Cancer Surviv |
Volume | 10 |
Issue | 2 |
Pagination | 342-50 |
Date Published | 2016 Apr |
ISSN | 1932-2267 |
Abstract | PURPOSE: Young adult survivors (YAS) of childhood cancer require annual adult-focused, cancer-related follow-up given their risk for late effects of treatment. This study describes perception of and engagement with adult-focused, cancer-related follow-up care and general health care among YAS formally transferred to adult care from pediatric survivorship care. METHODS: YAS transferred from pediatric survivorship care in the prior 1-5 years completed measures indicating engagement with cancer-related follow-up care, other health care utilization, content of communication by providers, quality of cancer-related care, and satisfaction with health care in the prior year. RESULTS: Eighty YAS (M age = 27.7 years, M time since diagnosis = 10.4 years) participated. Just over half of YAS surveyed (n = 44, 55 %) endorsed continuing cancer-related follow-up care since transfer. Those with cancer-related follow-up endorsed seeing subspecialty survivorship providers (n = 16, 44 %) and primary care providers (n = 22, 50 %) or utilizing a shared care model (n = 6, 14 %). About a third of YAS endorsed seeing subspecialists (n = 29, 36 %) or using other support services (n = 22, 27 %). YAS-perceived content of communication varied significantly depending on care model with less cancer-related content being discussed by primary care providers, though perceived quality of cancer-related care and satisfaction with health care was generally favorable. CONCLUSIONS: YAS report less than optimal engagement in cancer-related follow-up care and communication in their health care encounters. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Young adult survivors should receive anticipatory guidance about expectations for delivery and content of adult-focused cancer-related follow-up care. |
DOI | 10.1007/s11764-015-0480-9 |
Alternate Journal | J Cancer Surviv |
PubMed ID | 26303367 |