“Based on a true story” podcast: a journey into the world of young patients with cancer

This article describes a creative project undertaken by a group of adolescent and young adult patients with cancer as part of the Milan’s Youth Project, a scheme dedicated to young patients with cancer with the dual aim of optimizing medical aspects of their care and promoting a holistic approach to their needs. The project was based on audio recordings and focused on the theme of “the journey,” such as a holiday or an adventure, or as a metaphor of the cancer experience. The podcast installments were published on the main streaming platforms. Talking about their disease and how they feel is of importance for young patients to process their feelings surrounding the cancer experience and to find the inner resources they need to facilitate coping.

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Incidence of suicide among adolescent and young adult cancer patients: a population-based study

Cancer Cell International ◽

10.1186/s12935-021-02225-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pengcheng Yang ◽

Lei Zhang ◽

Xiaohua Hou

Keyword(s):

Young Adult ◽

General Population ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Nasopharyngeal Cancer ◽

Young Patients ◽

Adolescent And Young Adult ◽

Suicide Mortality ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Suicide Rates ◽

The Us

Abstract Background As the survival rates of cancer patients continue to increase, most cancer patients now die of non-cancer causes. Several studies have been showing elevated suicide rates among patients with cancer. However, no large-scale study has thoroughly assessed the risk of suicide among adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer. This study was conducted to characterize suicide mortality among AYA patients in the US and identify risk factors associated with a higher risk of suicide. Methods Patients aged 15–39 years were residents of the US served by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program, who were diagnosed with cancers from 1973 to 2015. Results We report that 981 of the 572,500 AYA patients with cancer committed suicide, for an age-, sex-, and race-adjusted suicide rate of 17.68/100,000 person-years. The rate of suicide was 14.33/100,000 person-years in the corresponding general population, giving a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of 1.234 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.159–1.313]. Higher suicide rates were associated with male sex, white race, unmarried state, distant tumor stage, and single primary tumor. AYA patients with otorhinolaryngologic, gonad, stomach, soft tissue, and nasopharyngeal cancer were at the greatest risk of suicide compared with those with other types of cancer. In older patients (≥ 40 years), the risk was highest in those with lung, stomach, oral cavity and pharynx, larynx, and bone malignancies. SMRs were highest in the first 5 years after diagnosis for most types of cancer. Conclusion AYA patients with cancer in the US have over 20% higher the incidence of suicide of the general population, and most suicides occurred in the first 5 years following diagnosis. Suicide rates vary among patients with cancers of different anatomic sites. Further examination of the psychological experience of these young patients with cancer, particularly that of those with certain types of cancer, is warranted.

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Living beyond cancer: Adolescent and young adult perspectives on choice of and participation in meaningful occupational roles

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/0308022620960677 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 030802262096067

Author(s):

Amy Wallis ◽

Pamela Meredith ◽

Mandy Stanley

Keyword(s):

Young Adult ◽

Interpersonal Relationships ◽

Young Person ◽

Adolescent And Young Adult ◽

Photo Elicitation ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Occupational Roles ◽

Subsequent Interview ◽

Cancer Experience ◽

The Impact

Introduction Whilst it is recognised that cancer may present numerous challenges for the adolescent or young adult during treatment, experiences after this stage as the young person transitions to life without cancer have received little attention. The purpose of this study is to understand the implications of having survived cancer for the young person’s choice of, and participation in, meaningful occupational roles. Method In this qualitative descriptive study, four participants were interviewed on two occasions using semi-structured interviews, with the subsequent interview supplemented with photo elicitation. Participants were male and female, aged 19 and 24 years, and medically cleared of (living beyond) cancer. Thematic analysis was used. Results Three main themes emerged: changes in relationships; moving beyond; and future perspectives. Adolescents and young adults identified the impact of the cancer experience on interpersonal relationships and related occupational roles (for example parenthood), and described how cancer affected their participation in, and the meaning of, occupational roles, and altered present and future occupational priorities. Conclusion Having cancer as an adolescent or young adult has lasting impacts on occupational roles. Understanding the opportunities and challenges this population may face when living beyond cancer can assist in providing enhanced age-aware occupational therapy, potentially optimising outcomes for young people.

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416: UNDERSTANDING RESILIENCE IN BEREAVED CAREGIVERS OF ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG ADULT PATIENTS WITH CANCER

Critical Care Medicine ◽

10.1097/01.ccm.0000620012.28551.bc ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

pp. 189-189

Author(s):

Jenny Kingsley ◽

Mallory Taylor ◽

Krysta Barton ◽

R Watson ◽

Abby Rosenberg

Keyword(s):

Young Adult ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Adolescent And Young Adult ◽

Patients With Cancer

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The importance of assessing priorities of reproductive health concerns among adolescent and young adult patients with cancer

Cancer ◽

10.1002/cncr.29466 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 121 (15) ◽

pp. 2529-2536 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Devin Murphy ◽

James L. Klosky ◽

Damon R. Reed ◽

Amanda M. Termuhlen ◽

Susan V. Shannon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adult ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Adolescent And Young Adult ◽

Health Concerns ◽

Patients With Cancer

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Fertility preservation knowledge, counseling, and actions among adolescent and young adult patients with cancer: A population-based study

Cancer ◽

10.1002/cncr.29328 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 121 (19) ◽

pp. 3499-3506 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

Author(s):

Margarett Shnorhavorian ◽

Linda C. Harlan ◽

Ashley Wilder Smith ◽

Theresa H.M. Keegan ◽

Charles F. Lynch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adult ◽

Fertility Preservation ◽

Population Based ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Adolescent And Young Adult ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Patients With Cancer

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Trajectories of Psychological Distress in Adolescent and Young Adult Patients With Cancer: A 1-Year Longitudinal Study

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.45.9222 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 (17) ◽

pp. 2160-2166 ◽

Cited By ~ 119

Author(s):

Minyoung Kwak ◽

Brad J. Zebrack ◽

Kathleen A. Meeske ◽

Leanne Embry ◽

Christine Aguilar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Young Adult ◽

Symptom Burden ◽

Brief Symptom Inventory ◽

Adolescent And Young Adult ◽

Cancer Type ◽

Clinical Predictors ◽

Population Norms ◽

Patients With Cancer

Purpose To examine prevalence and changes in symptoms of psychological distress over 1 year after initial cancer diagnosis in adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer. Sociodemographic and clinical predictors of changes in distress were examined. Patients and Methods In this multisite, longitudinal, prospective study of an ethnically diverse sample, 215 patients age 14 to 39 years were assessed for psychological distress within the first 4 months of diagnosis and again 6 and 12 months later. Linear mixed models with random intercept and slope estimated changes in distress, as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18). Results Within the first 4 months of diagnosis, 60 respondents (28%) had BSI-18 scores suggesting caseness for distress. On average, distress symptoms exceeded population norms at the time of diagnosis, dipped at the 6-month follow-up, but increased to a level exceeding population norms at the 12-month follow-up. A statistically significant decline in distress over 1 year was observed; however, the gradient of change was not clinically significant. Multivariate analyses revealed that the reduction in distress over time was primarily a function of being off treatment and involved in school or work. Notably, cancer type or severity was not associated with distress. Conclusion Findings emphasize the importance of early psychosocial intervention for distress in AYAs as well as the need to manage treatment-related symptoms and facilitate AYAs' involvement in work or school to the extent possible. Continued research is needed to understand how distress relates to quality of life, functional outcomes, treatment, and symptom burden throughout the continuum of care.

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Been There, Done That, Wrote the Blog: The Choices and Challenges of Supporting Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2009.23.0516 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 28 (32) ◽

pp. 4842-4849 ◽

Cited By ~ 84

Author(s):

Claire L. Treadgold ◽

Aura Kuperberg

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Young Adult ◽

Support Groups ◽

Current Literature ◽

Adolescent And Young Adult ◽

Online Support ◽

Age Group ◽

Group Support ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Opportune Time

The purpose of this article is to review the current literature on the provision of support groups for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer with a focus on the challenges that are faced by these initiatives. The value of group support to patients with cancer and particularly to this age group has been well documented. However, with the advent and increase in popularity of online support options, it is an opportune time to examine the options available to the AYA group and highlight areas that would benefit from further investigation. This article will review the literature on the need to provide support groups to this age group, the available options, and the challenges they face.

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