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Purpose: The aim was to study follow-up care attendance in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors to investigate: (1) correlates of the intention to attend follow-up care and (2) whether the intention is associated with the actual attendance, applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey in AYA cancer survivors diagnosed 1990–2005 at age 16–25 years, registered in the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug, Switzerland, who had survived at least 5 years. Structural equation modeling was applied to investigate TPB-related correlates (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control) of intention to attend follow-up care. Logistic regression analysis was used to study the association between intention and actual attendance. Results: We included 160 AYA cancer survivors in the study (mean age at study: 34.0 years, mean age at diagnosis: 21.6 years, 98 [61.3%] male). Positive attitudes toward follow-up care (coefficient = 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05 to 0.60) and supportive subjective norms (coefficient = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.78) were associated with higher intention to attend follow-up care. Perceived behavioral control was not associated with intention to attend (coefficient = −0.13, 95% CI: −0.36 to 0.10), but with actual attendance (odds ratio [OR] = 4.55, 95% CI: 1.83 to 11.31). Higher intention was associated with actual follow-up care attendance (OR = 14.29, 95% CI: 5.80 to 35.21). Conclusion: Positive attitudes and supportive social norms were associated with higher intention to attend follow-up care, and higher intention was associated with actual follow-up care attendance. Increasing awareness of the importance and benefits of follow-up care not only among survivors but also family, friends and healthcare professionals may help increase follow-up care attendance among AYA cancer survivors, + ID der Publikation: unilu_33633 + Sprache: Englisch + Letzte Aktualisierung: 2018-12-18 10:38:43

Purpose: Today, survival rates for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients exceed 80%. However, cancer and treatment leave many patients suffering from chronic conditions. These late effects may impair their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We aimed to (1) compare HRQoL of AYA cancer survivors with the Swiss general population and (2) investigate socio-demographic and cancer-related characteristics associated with poor HRQoL. Methods: AYA cancer survivors (age 16–25 at diagnosis; ≥5 years survival) who had been identified through the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug, Switzerland, filled out a questionnaire. We assessed HRQoL using the Short-Form 12 (SF-12), producing two scores: Physical Component Summary score (PCS, physical health) and Mental Component Summary score (MCS, mental health). We used multivariable logistic regression analyses to investigate associated characteristics. Results: We compared 155 survivors with 350 controls. Survivors had significantly lower physical health than controls (mean = 52.5 vs. mean = 54.7, p&thinsp

Purpose: As survival rates of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients increase, a growing number of AYA cancer survivors need follow-up care. However, there is little research on their preferences for follow-up care. We aimed to 1) describe AYA cancer survivors' preferences for the organization and content of follow-up care; 2) describe their preferences for different models of follow-up; and 3) investigate clinical and socio-demographic characteristics associated with preferences for the different models. Methods: AYA cancer survivors (diagnosed with cancer at age 16-25 years; ≥5 years after diagnosis) were identified through the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug. Survivors completed a questionnaire on follow-up attendance, preferences for organizational aspects of follow-up care (what is important during follow-up, what should be included during appointments, what specialists should be involved, location), models of follow-up (telephone/questionnaire, general practitioner (GP), pediatric oncologist, medical oncologist, multi-disciplinary team) and sociodemographic characteristics. Information on tumor and treatment was available through the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug. Results: Of 389 contacted survivors, 160 (41.1%) participated and 92 (57.5%) reported still attending follow-up. Medical aspects of follow-up care were more important than general aspects (p

Objectives Adolescents and young adults (AYA) are diagnosed with cancer during a critical life period full of psychosocial challenges. They may experience a significant impact of the cancer diagnosis on their psychological health, also in the long term. We aimed to (i) evaluate psychological distress in AYA cancer survivors, compare levels of distress with controls, and (ii) describe socio-demographic and cancer-related characteristics associated with psychological distress. Methods We sent a questionnaire to AYA cancer survivors (aged 16?25 years at diagnosis, survived ≥5 years) registered in the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug, Switzerland. Psychological distress was measured using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) assessing anxiety, depression, somatization and a global severity index (GSI) (cut-off score indicating psychological distress: T≥57). Distress levels were compared between survivors and controls. We used logistic regression to determine associations of socio-demographic and cancer-related characteristics with distress. Results Of 160 AYA cancer survivors, 34 (21%) reported being distressed (27% in women, 17% in men, p=0.129). Compared to controls, survivors did not report higher levels of distress (all p-values>0.05). Survivors with migration background and survivors with late effects reported higher levels on GSI, somatization, and anxiety. Higher levels of depression were associated with being female, not being in a partnership and having late effects. Conclusions A substantial subgroup of AYA cancer survivors reported psychological distress. Systematically screening for distress and providing psychological follow-up for survivors at risk may help to provide adequate psychological support.

Background Chimeric read-through RNAs are transcripts originating from two directly adjacent genes (, BMC Genomics, 16, ISSN:1471-2164

Purpose: Today, survival rates for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients exceed 80%. However, cancer and treatment leave many patients suffering from chronic conditions. These late effects may impair their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We aimed to (1) compare HRQoL of AYA cancer survivors with the Swiss general population and (2) investigate socio-demographic and cancer-related characteristics associated with poor HRQoL. Methods: AYA cancer survivors (age 16–25 at diagnosis; ≥5 years survival) who had been identified through the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug, Switzerland, filled out a questionnaire. We assessed HRQoL using the Short-Form 12 (SF-12), producing two scores: Physical Component Summary score (PCS, physical health) and Mental Component Summary score (MCS, mental health). We used multivariable logistic regression analyses to investigate associated characteristics. Results: We compared 155 survivors with 350 controls. Survivors had significantly lower physical health than controls (mean = 52.5 vs. mean = 54.7, p&thinsp

Objectives Adolescents and young adults (AYA) are diagnosed with cancer during a critical life period full of psychosocial challenges. They may experience a significant impact of the cancer diagnosis on their psychological health, also in the long term. We aimed to (i) evaluate psychological distress in AYA cancer survivors, compare levels of distress with controls, and (ii) describe socio-demographic and cancer-related characteristics associated with psychological distress. Methods We sent a questionnaire to AYA cancer survivors (aged 16?25 years at diagnosis, survived ≥5 years) registered in the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug, Switzerland. Psychological distress was measured using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) assessing anxiety, depression, somatization and a global severity index (GSI) (cut-off score indicating psychological distress: T≥57). Distress levels were compared between survivors and controls. We used logistic regression to determine associations of socio-demographic and cancer-related characteristics with distress. Results Of 160 AYA cancer survivors, 34 (21%) reported being distressed (27% in women, 17% in men, p=0.129). Compared to controls, survivors did not report higher levels of distress (all p-values>0.05). Survivors with migration background and survivors with late effects reported higher levels on GSI, somatization, and anxiety. Higher levels of depression were associated with being female, not being in a partnership and having late effects. Conclusions A substantial subgroup of AYA cancer survivors reported psychological distress. Systematically screening for distress and providing psychological follow-up for survivors at risk may help to provide adequate psychological support., + ID der Publikation: unilu_38415 + Sprache: Englisch + Letzte Aktualisierung: 2019-01-28 12:06:10

Knowledge on former diagnosis, treatment and survivorship is important for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYACS) to make informed health care decisions. We aimed to 1) describe the information AYACS reported to have received, 2) identify current information needs and survivors' preferred format of communication, and 3) examine associations between information needs and cancer-related/socio-demographic characteristics, psychological distress and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We identified AYACS (16-25 years at diagnosis; ≥5 years since diagnosis) through the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug. Survivors received a questionnaire on information received and current IN, socio-demographic information, psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory-18) and HRQoL (SF-12). Clinical characteristics were available from the cancer registry. We used descriptive statistics and univariable regression models. Of 160 responders, most reported to have received information on disease (96.3%), treatment (96.3%), and follow-up (89.4%), fewer on late effects (63.1%). Survivors reported information needs on late effects (78.7%), follow-up (71.3%), disease (58.1%) and treatment (55.6%). Information needs were associated with experiencing psychological distress and lower mental HRQoL. Most Swiss AYACS have information needs, especially on follow-up and late effects. Therefore, AYACS should be personally, continuously and proactively informed about their disease, treatment, follow-up care and late effects.

Knowledge on former diagnosis, treatment and survivorship is important for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYACS) to make informed health care decisions. We aimed to 1) describe the information AYACS reported to have received, 2) identify current information needs and survivors' preferred format of communication, and 3) examine associations between information needs and cancer-related/socio-demographic characteristics, psychological distress and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We identified AYACS (16-25 years at diagnosis; ≥5 years since diagnosis) through the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug. Survivors received a questionnaire on information received and current IN, socio-demographic information, psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory-18) and HRQoL (SF-12). Clinical characteristics were available from the cancer registry. We used descriptive statistics and univariable regression models. Of 160 responders, most reported to have received information on disease (96.3%), treatment (96.3%), and follow-up (89.4%), fewer on late effects (63.1%). Survivors reported information needs on late effects (78.7%), follow-up (71.3%), disease (58.1%) and treatment (55.6%). Information needs were associated with experiencing psychological distress and lower mental HRQoL. Most Swiss AYACS have information needs, especially on follow-up and late effects. Therefore, AYACS should be personally, continuously and proactively informed about their disease, treatment, follow-up care and late effects., + ID der Publikation: unilu_33732 + Sprache: Englisch + Bemerkungen: Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors; information needs; information provision; cancer registry; Europe; questionnaire survey + Letzte Aktualisierung: 2018-12-18 11:37:13

Purpose: As survival rates of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients increase, a growing number of AYA cancer survivors need follow-up care. However, there is little research on their preferences for follow-up care. We aimed to 1) describe AYA cancer survivors' preferences for the organization and content of follow-up care; 2) describe their preferences for different models of follow-up; and 3) investigate clinical and socio-demographic characteristics associated with preferences for the different models. Methods: AYA cancer survivors (diagnosed with cancer at age 16-25 years; ≥5 years after diagnosis) were identified through the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug. Survivors completed a questionnaire on follow-up attendance, preferences for organizational aspects of follow-up care (what is important during follow-up, what should be included during appointments, what specialists should be involved, location), models of follow-up (telephone/questionnaire, general practitioner (GP), pediatric oncologist, medical oncologist, multi-disciplinary team) and sociodemographic characteristics. Information on tumor and treatment was available through the Cancer Registry Zurich and Zug. Results: Of 389 contacted survivors, 160 (41.1%) participated and 92 (57.5%) reported still attending follow-up. Medical aspects of follow-up care were more important than general aspects (p, + ID der Publikation: unilu_11265 + Sprache: Deutsch + Letzte Aktualisierung: 2018-12-18 11:20:59