Psychosocial Care of Adolescent and Young Adult Patients With Cancer and Survivors

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1221-1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad Zebrack ◽  
Sinéad Isaacson
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Psychosocial Care ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Future Goals

The delivery of quality care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer and survivors requires an understanding of the unique qualities of this group—the shared norms, attitudes, and beliefs that determine their behavior as well as the unique stresses they face on a day-to-day basis. All AYAs have typical concerns about being comfortable with who they are and who they want to become (identity development, including sexual identity), their bodies (body image), initiating intimate and emotional relationships, separating from parents, and making independent decisions about future goals such as career, higher education, and/or family (autonomy). Yet efforts of AYA patients with cancer and survivors to mature are often confounded by restrictions and limitations placed on them by their disease and treatment. This article promotes understanding of psychosocial challenges faced by AYAs when diagnosed with and treated for cancer. It reviews evidence-based psychosocial support interventions for AYAs with cancer and other life-threatening or chronic diseases, particularly the positive effects of peer support, technology-based interventions, and skill-based interventions. The article concludes with recommendations for clinical care that are intended to promote the ability of AYAs to cope with cancer.

Quality Cancer Care for Adolescents and Young Adults: A Position Statement

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (32) ◽  
pp. 4862-4867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad Zebrack ◽  
Beth Mathews-Bradshaw ◽  
Stuart Siegel
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Position Statement ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Care Guidelines

Purpose This consensus-based position statement on behalf of the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance (Alliance) offers recommendations to enhance oncologic care of adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer. Background In 2005 to 2006, the National Cancer Institute and the Lance Armstrong Foundation jointly sponsored the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Progress Review Group (PRG). The PRG report included the directive to develop standards of care for AYA patients with cancer and to disseminate these guidelines to the community. To this end, the Alliance convened a meeting of experts (clinicians, researchers, and advocates) in June 2009 and derived this position statement. Results Quality care for AYAs depends on four critical elements: timely detection; efficient processes for diagnosis, initiation of treatment, and promotion of adherence; access to health care professionals who possess knowledge specific to the biomedical and psychosocial needs of this population; and research that will ultimately derive objective criteria for the development of AYA oncology care guidelines. Achieving quality care for AYAs will require assistance with management of disease and treatment effects; cognizance of the unique psychosocial context for AYA growth and development; assessment of and attention to cognitive, psychiatric, and psychosocial issues; facilitated transition to treatment care; and referral to age-appropriate information and support services. Conclusion Dissemination of recommendations stated here will raise awareness of the need for AYA-specific care guidelines and assist providers in the delivery of care that is responsive to the distinct needs of AYAs with cancer.

scholarly journals Adolescent and young adult neuro-oncology: a comprehensive review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kee Kiat Yeo ◽  
Darcy E Burgers ◽  
Katelynn Brodigan ◽  
Karen Fasciano ◽  
A Lindsay Frazier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Tumor Biology ◽  
Psychosocial Care ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Clinical Trials Enrollment ◽  
Diagnostic Work

Abstract Adolescent and young adult (AYA; ages 15-39) patients represent a population that experiences significant challenges in cancer care and research, exemplified by poorer clinical outcomes as well as unmet psychosocial and reproductive health needs. Despite central nervous system (CNS) tumors being one of the most common malignancies diagnosed in the age group, there is a clear paucity of AYA CNS tumor-specific publications, especially those related to the unique psychosocial and reproductive health needs of this population of patients. In this review, we examine various aspects of AYA oncological care including tumor biology, clinical outcome, clinical trials enrollment rate, site of care, unique psychosocial needs, and oncofertility. We assess the current state of these issues, highlight areas of deficiencies, and outline the steps needed to address these concerns. We emphasize the importance of comprehensive molecular testing as part of the diagnostic work-up, expansion of clinical trial availability, access to psychosocial care and oncofertility expertise, and the development of AYA-specific clinical research to define best practices and advancing care for this population.

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

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

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

Cancer ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 121 (15) ◽  
pp. 2529-2536 ◽  
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

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

Cancer ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 121 (19) ◽  
pp. 3499-3506 ◽  
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

scholarly journals Exploring Psychosocial Support Online: A Content Analysis of Messages in an Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Community

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 555-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad Love ◽  
Brittani Crook ◽  
Charee M. Thompson ◽  
Sarah Zaitchik ◽  
Jessica Knapp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Young Adult Cancer

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

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (17) ◽  
pp. 2160-2166 ◽  
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.

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

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (32) ◽  
pp. 4842-4849 ◽  
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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