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Background: Social isolation and connectedness are social determinants of health that have demonstrated effects on cancer‐related outcomes. These constructs have been systematically evaluated among pediatric and older adult cancer populations. In this review, the authors evaluated the prevalence, correlates, and psychosocial implications of social isolation and connectedness among young adult (YA) cancer survivors aged 18–39 years. Methods: Peer‐reviewed articles published in English before June 2021 were identified from database searches and included articles' reference lists according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) guidelines. Included articles described studies that assessed social isolation and/or connectedness among YA cancer survivors. Results: In total, 5094 unique records were identified; 4143 were excluded after title/abstract screening, and 907 were excluded after full‐text review. Forty‐four articles were included. Few studies used validated measures or directly assessed social isolation or connectedness. Social isolation was similarly prevalent among YAs and older cancer survivors and noncancer populations. Demographic, clinical, and behavioral risk and protective factors for social isolation were identified. Social isolation was related to worse psychological well‐being, whereas social connectedness was often, but not always, related to better psychological well‐being. Conclusions: This growing literature underscores the relevance of social isolation and connectedness as important health determinants among YA cancer survivors. The identified risk and protective factors can identify YAs who especially may benefit from screening for social isolation. Future studies are needed that directly, reliably, and validly evaluate social isolation and connectedness to inform the development of interventions to decrease isolation and increase connectedness. This review evaluated the prevalence, correlates, and psychosocial implications of social isolation and connectedness among young adult (YA) cancer survivors. Findings underscored the relevance of social isolation and connectedness as important health determinants among YA cancer survivors, identified risk and protective factors that can help identify YAs who may especially benefit from screening for social isolation, and provided recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This was a secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) among young adult (YA) survivors of cancer, which showed preliminary evidence for improving psychosocial outcomes. Secondary outcomes assessed were the feasibility of collecting biological data from YAs and preliminary effects of MBSR on markers of inflammation and cardiovascular function. Method: Participants were randomized to 8-week MBSR or a waitlist control condition. Participants provided whole blood spot samples for analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6 as well as blood pressure data in-person at baseline and 16-week follow-up. Feasibility was assessed with rates of providing biological data. Linear mixed effects modeling was used to evaluate preliminary effects of MBSR on inflammatory markers and blood pressure over time. Results: Of 126 total participants enrolled, 77% provided biological data at baseline (n = 48/67 MBSR, n = 49/59 control). At 16 weeks, 97% of the 76 retained participants provided follow-up biological data (n = 34/35 MBSR, n = 40/41 control). Relative to the control group, MBSR was associated with decreased systolic blood pressure (p = 0.042, effect sizes (ES) = 0.45) and decreased diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.017, ES = 0.64). There were no changes in CRP or IL-6. Conclusion: This was the first study to explore the feasibility of collecting biological data from YA survivors of cancer and assess preliminary effects of MBSR on inflammatory and cardiovascular markers in an RCT. Minimally invasive biological data collection methods were feasible. Results provide preliminary evidence for the role of MBSR in improving cardiovascular outcomes in this population, and results should be replicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: For adolescents and young adults (AYAs), cancer-related fertility concerns (FC) are salient, disruptive, and complex. Clinical communication about FC and fertility preservation options are suboptimal, increasing patient distress. The purpose of this study is to construct a conceptual model of FC among AYAs with cancer to inform future measurement development.Methods: Concept elicitation interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of stakeholders: 36 AYAs (10 adolescents, 12 emerging adults, and 14 young adults), 36 AYA oncology health care providers, and 12 content experts in cancer-related infertility. The constant comparative method was used to identify themes and properties that illustrate AYAs' conceptualization and/or experience of FC.Results: Thirteen themes characterized FC among AYAs with cancer, varying by stakeholder group and domain affiliations. Themes were grouped by four domains (e.g., affective, information, coping, and logistical), which organized the conceptual model. Affective experiences were further determined to be an important component within the other three domains. AYAs' fertility and fertility preservation experiences were shaped by communication factors and timing factors including placement along the lifespan/cancer continuum.Conclusions: AYA FC are characterized by uncertainty and confusion that may contribute to future decisional regret or magnify feelings of loss. Results add to previous research by examining individual, relational, and health care factors that fluctuate to inform fertility preservation perceptions and decision-making across the AYA age spectrum. Findings will be used to develop and test new self-report measures of FC among AYAs with cancer and survivors using classic and modern measurement theory approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding and enhancing support group participation among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: the impact of integrating adolescent and young adult cancer navigation services. Keywords: cancer; quality of life; psycho-oncology; survivorship; young adult EN cancer quality of life psycho-oncology survivorship young adult 982 985 4 06/09/21 20210601 NES 210601 INTRODUCTION More than 80,000 young adults (YAs) in their 20s and 30s are diagnosed with cancer annually, and 5-year relative survival approximates 85%.1 YAs face challenges navigating the transition to independent adulthood while also transitioning from active cancer treatment to posttreatment survivorship (e.g., disruptions to reaching developmental milestones, biopsychosocial late effects of cancer).2-6 As a result, YAs report worse health-related quality of life (HRQOL) than cancer survivors in other age cohorts.6,7 Yet, YAs are underrepresented in survivorship research, and evidence-based interventions targeted to YAs are lacking.8,9 In order to maximally engage this underserved population, interventions must be developed in concordance with YAs' preferences. Key Points This study assessed young adult (YA) cancer survivors' preferences for supportive interventions to improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL). [Extracted from the article]

To date, the health‐related quality of life experiences of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer have been inconsistently and incompletely captured by existing patient‐reported outcome (PRO) measures. The National Institutes of Health Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) represents the state of the art for measurement science of PROs and provides an optimal approach for addressing these measurement challenges and catalyzing future patient‐centered research in AYA oncology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A partnership formed between Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University sought to address well- documented cancer health disparities in Chicago by developing a collaborative research, training, and educational infrastructure between a minority- serving institution and a National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer center. With a critical examination of partnership documentation and outputs, we describe the partnership's community- engaged approaches, challenges, and lessons learned. Northeastern Illinois University and the Lurie Cancer Center engaged in a yearlong partnership- building phase, identified interdisciplinary research teams, formed a governance structure, and identified collective aims. Partnership outcomes included funded inter- institutional research projects, new curriculum, and an annual research trainee program. Significant challenges faced included uncertain fiscal climate, widespread turnover, and dissimilar institutional demands. Lessons learned from this minority serving institution and comprehensive cancer center partnership may be useful for bridging distinct academic communities in the pursuit of ameliorating health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this study, we set out to determine the preferences, concerns, and attitudes toward fertility preservation of adult male survivors of pediatric cancer and their parents. Methods: We conducted 3 focus groups with a total of 15 male survivors of pediatric cancer (age at diagnosis: mean=14, range: 10-20; age at study: mean=35, range: 25-47) and 2 groups with a total of 7 parents of survivors. Grounded theory methodology was used for the identification and analysis of recurrent themes expressed by survivors and their parents in the course of focus group discussions. Results: Themes most frequently expressed by survivors included concern regarding long-term treatment effects and a retrospective desire for fertility impairment to have been discussed when they were originally diagnosed with cancer. Parental themes included the same hindsight desire, as well as reliance upon the treating oncologist for direction in selecting the course of treatment, and an acknowledgment that input from a specialist in fertility preservation would have been beneficial. Conclusions: Although future reproductive potential was not consistently reported as a source of apprehension when diagnosed with cancer, both survivors and their parents noted it to be a paramount concern later in life. Parents and survivors both reported that fertility preservation discussions should be routinely incorporated in the clinical context of a pediatric cancer diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We greatly appreciate the thoughtful letter from Husson, Sodergren, and Darlington. Within the US-based National Clinical Trials Network and the National Cancer Institute's Community Oncology Research Program, there are efforts underway to foster cross-group collaborations and develop consensus recommendations for patient-reported outcome (PRO) assessments among AYAs. The total disease burden in AYAs accounts for approximately 6% of cancer cases both nationally and internationally.3,4 Thus, there is a need to identify shared goals, collaborate, and develop multinational AYA research studies to maximize the yield from observational studies and clinical trials. [Extracted from the article]