Health-Related Behaviour Among Children of Childhood Cancer Survivors in Germany

2016 ◽  
Vol 229 (03) ◽  
pp. 118-125
Author(s):  
M. Balcerek ◽  
T. Schuster ◽  
E. Korte ◽  
J. Seidel ◽  
R. Schilling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivor ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Matched Pair ◽  
Calculated Effect ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Related Behaviour

Abstract Purpose: Childhood cancer survivors fear that previous therapy could not only impair their own but also their children’s health. We examined whether health-related behaviour in children of childhood cancer survivors differs from the general population. Methods: Our first nationwide survey wave (2013–2014) surveyed offspring health in 396 German childhood cancer survivors known to have a child of their own. Answers about health behaviour were analysed using descriptive statistics. Data were collected for 418 offspring and 394 could be integrated for matched-pair analyses with data from the German general population (KIGGS, n=17 641). Results: Teeth-cleaning routine, body-mass-index or subjective body image evaluation by parents were no different from children in the general population. Parents who included a cancer survivor smoked less in the presence of their children (p=0.01). During pregnancy, mothers in cancer survivor parent pairs abstained from drinking alcohol more often (p=0.01) and smoked less (p=0.05). While the calculated effect sizes (Phi) were generally low (0.135–0.247), children from cancer survivors played less outdoors than peers did (p=0.01). Boys participated in sports outside a club more often (p=0.05) and watched less TV on weekdays (p=0.01) and girls spent more time on the computer during weekdays than peers did (p=0.01). Conclusions: This study provides the first data for health-related behaviour in cancer survivors’ offspring and sheds light on differences to parenting in the general population. Multivariate analyses in a larger study population are needed to relate these differences to fear issues in cancer survivors.

Vaccinations and Screening Examinations – Prevention Awareness Among Children of Childhood Cancer Survivors in Germany

2020 ◽  
Vol 232 (03) ◽  
pp. 143-150
Author(s):  
Theresa Schuster ◽  
Anja Borgmann-Staudt ◽  
Charlotte Jessica König ◽  
Greta Sommerhäuser ◽  
Elisabeth Korte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Matched Pair ◽  
Robert Koch Institute ◽  
Preventive Screening ◽  
Cancer History ◽  
Kiggs Study

Abstract Background Immunisation levels and attendance of preventive screening examinations indicate primary health prevention awareness. We investigated participation among German childhood cancer survivors’ (CCS’) offspring in our national offspring study. Patients and methods CCS with biological children were surveyed on their offspring’s vaccination levels and attendance of preventive screening examinations by questionnaire. Data from the German general population was available for matched-pair analysis (KiGGS study, Robert Koch-Institute, n=17,641). Results Overall, 852/1,299 (65,6%) CCS completed 1,340 questionnaires regarding their childrenʼs health. In comparison with the general population, coverage of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis inoculations were similar (tetanus 99,1 vs. 98,4%). Measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations were carried out significantly more often by CCS’ offspring (rubella 96,1 vs. 91,7%). Throughout all age groups, preventive screening examinations were attended significantly more often by CCS’ offspring. Parentʼs anxiety regarding their offspring’s health was identified to be a confounding variable for vaccination rates. Discussion and conclusion CCS’ offspring showed comparable to significantly higher participation levels of recommended vaccinations and screening examinations than their peers from the German general population. In contrast to the general population the attendance of CCS’ offspring did not decrease with rising age. CCS’ own experiences and increased worry about their children’s health may lead to a higher prevention awareness. This should be considered in counselling parents with a cancer history.

scholarly journals Perceptions and knowledge of air pollution and its health effects among caregivers of childhood cancer survivors: a qualitative study

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin R. Waters ◽  
Echo L. Warner ◽  
Perla L. Vaca Lopez ◽  
Anne C. Kirchhoff ◽  
Judy Y. Ou
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
General Population ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Cancer Survivor ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Exposure Reduction ◽  
Negative Perceptions

Abstract Background Emerging research suggests that survivors of childhood and adolescent cancers are at risk for morbidity and mortality associated with air pollutants. However, caregiver perceptions of the effects of air pollution are unknown. Thus, to address this gap we described caregivers’ perceptions of air pollution’s impact on general population health and specifically on childhood cancer survivors, and caregivers’ air pollution information-seeking and exposure reduction behaviors. Methods Participants were Utah residents, ≥18 years, and caregiver of a childhood cancer survivor who had completed treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with caregivers to describe their perspectives on air quality, how air pollution impacts health (general population and survivor health), and their information seeking and exposure reduction behaviors. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through two rounds of structured coding. Results Caregivers (N = 13) were non-Hispanic white and primarily females (92.3%) between 30 and 49 years old (46.2%). Most families lived within the Wasatch Front (69.2%), the main metropolitan of Utah. Two categories emerged pertaining to caregiver’s perceptions of air pollution: 1) Limited awareness about the health effects of air pollution, and 2) Unsuccessful information seeking and minimal exposure reduction behaviors. All caregivers held negative perceptions of air pollution in Utah, but most were unaware of how pollution affects health. While some families limited air pollution exposure by avoiding outdoor activity or physically leaving the region, few practiced survivor-specific exposure reduction. Nearly half of caregivers worried about potential effects of air pollution on survivor health and wanted more information. Conclusions Despite negative perceptions of air pollution, caregivers were divided on whether air pollution could impact survivor health. Few caregivers engaged in exposure reduction for their cancer survivor. As air pollution levels increase in the U.S., continued research on this topic is essential to managing cancer survivor respiratory and cardiovascular health.

scholarly journals Mixed methods assessment of impact on health awareness in adult childhood cancer survivors after viewing their personalized digital treatment summary and follow-up recommendations

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena M. Linge ◽  
Cecilia Follin
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
The Self ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Treatment Summary

Abstract Background The survival rate after childhood cancer has improved to 80%. The majority of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) will experience late complications which require follow up care, including access to their individual cancer treatment summary. The need to understand CCS needs and preferences in terms of ways to receive information e.g. digitally, becomes important. This study aims to through a mixed methods approach a) examine how CCS’ health awareness was impacted by viewing their personalized digital treatment summary and follow-up recommendations, b) explore E health literacy, and c) determine self-reported survivorship experiences and health care usage. Methods Survivors with a recent visit to the Late effects clinic were eligible for the study (n = 70). A representative sample of primary diagnoses were invited (n = 28). 16 CCS were enrolled. Recent medical visits, e health literacy and impressions of the digital treatment summary were assessed by a survey in conjunction with viewing their digital treatment summary on a computer screen. Their experience of reading and understanding their digital treatment summary in the context of their health related survivorship experiences were assessed in focus groups. The transcribed data was analyzed with conventional qualitative content analysis. Results The self-reported medical problems largely reflected that, only 6,3% reported no cancer-related reasons for seeking medical attention. Of the medical specialists, the primary care physician was the most frequently visited specialist (68.8%). High E health literacy was not associated with treatment features but with educational level (p = 0.003, CI: 3.9–14.6) and sex (p = 0.022, CI: − 13.6- -1.3). All survivors graded the digital treatment summary above average in terms of being valuable, agreeable and comprehensive. The focus group interviews identified three themes: 1) The significance of information, 2) The impact of awareness; and 3) Empowerment. Conclusions Reading the treatment summaries furthered the survivors understanding of their health situation and consequently aided empowerment. A digital treatment summary, provided by knowledgeable health care professionals, may increase the self-managed care and adherence to follow-up recommendations. Further insights into e health literacy in larger samples of CCS may determine to what extent health-related information can be communicated via digital resources to this at risk population.

scholarly journals Mortality After Breast Cancer Among Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (24) ◽  
pp. 2120-2130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaya S. Moskowitz ◽  
Joanne F. Chou ◽  
Joseph P. Neglia ◽  
Ann H. Partridge ◽  
Rebecca M. Howell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivor ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivor ◽  
Malignant Neoplasms ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivor Study ◽  
Survivors Of Childhood Cancer

PURPOSE Female survivors of childhood cancer have a high risk of subsequent breast cancer. We describe the ensuing risk for mortality and additional breast cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS Female participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, a cohort of 5-year survivors of cancer diagnosed between 1970 and 1986 before age 21 years, and subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer (n = 274; median age at breast cancer diagnosis, 38 years; range, 20 to 58 years) were matched to a control group (n = 1,095) with de novo breast cancer. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were estimated from cause-specific proportional hazards models. RESULTS Ninety-two childhood cancer survivors died, 49 as a result of breast cancer. Overall survival after breast cancer was 73% by 10 years. Subsequent risk of death as a result of any cause was higher among childhood cancer survivors than among controls (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.7 to 3.0) and remained elevated after adjusting for breast cancer treatment (HR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.7 to 3.2). Although breast cancer–specific mortality was modestly elevated among childhood cancer survivors (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.9 to 2.0), survivors were five times more likely to die as a result of other health-related causes, including other subsequent malignant neoplasms and cardiovascular or pulmonary disease (HR, 5.5; 95% CI, 3.4 to 9.0). The cumulative incidence of a second asynchronous breast cancer also was elevated significantly compared with controls ( P < .001). CONCLUSION Mortality after breast cancer was higher in childhood cancer survivors than in women with de novo breast cancer. This increased mortality reflects the burden of comorbidity and highlights the need for risk-reducing interventions.

scholarly journals Life partnerships in childhood cancer survivors, their siblings, and the general population

2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 538-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Wengenroth ◽  
C.S. Rueegg ◽  
G. Michel ◽  
S. Essig ◽  
R.A. Ammann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Childhood Cancer Survivors
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