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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.

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