Survivors of childhood cancer report high levels of independence five years after diagnosis

Abstract

The aim was to compare self-rated independence in childhood cancer survivors 5 years after diagnosis with corresponding ratings during initial cancer treatment and those in a comparison group. A further aim was to determine whether and how certain clinical and demographic variables affected self-rated independence. Self-rated independence, a dimension included in the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measure DISABKIDS Chronic Generic Measure (DCGM-37), was assessed in a Swedish cohort of survivors (n = 63, aged 12-22 years) and compared with ratings during initial cancer treatment and those in an age-matched comparison group (n = 257). Potential predictors of self-rated independence were estimated using multiple regression analysis. Survivors rated their independence significantly higher 5 years after diagnosis than during initial cancer treatment and higher than the comparison group. Neither demographic nor clinical variables (age, sex, diagnosis, initial cancer treatment) predicted self-rated independence 5 years post diagnosis. Five years after diagnosis, survivors of childhood cancer appear to have reached a satisfactory level of independence. However, survivors are likely to experience complications over the longer term, and therefore continued follow-up is warranted to follow possible changes in self-reported independence.