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. 2023 Aug;149(9):5655-5663.
doi: 10.1007/s00432-022-04527-8. Epub 2022 Dec 17.

Psychosocial distress in young adults surviving hematological malignancies: a pilot study

Andreas Wittwer  1 , Kristin Sponholz  1   2 , Jochen J Frietsch  1   3 , Paul Linke  1 , Peter Kropp  4 , Andreas Hochhaus  1 , Inken Hilgendorf  5
Affiliations

Psychosocial distress in young adults surviving hematological malignancies: a pilot study

Andreas Wittwer et al. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Purpose: Survivors of cancer during young adulthood face multiple psychosocial challenges following treatment. This study explores psychosocial distress and unmet needs among young adult survivors treated of hematological malignancies.

Methods: A total of 85 young adults aged between 18 and 39 years at time of diagnosis, were invited to join the survey after the completion of treatment with curative intent. Sociodemographic data and the need for advice were gathered with a self-report questionnaire. A set of standardized questionnaires for quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30), psychosocial stressors (PHQ-S), fear of progression (PA-F-KF), cancer-related fatigue (EORTC QLQ-FA12), and symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7) or depression (PHQ-9) was employed. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis were conducted.

Results: Forty-seven young adult cancer survivors responded. A quarter of patients (26%) reported depressive symptoms, 15% suffered from anxiety, 36% from fear of progression, and 21% reported increased psychosocial stressors. They had a lower QoL than the general population and reported poorer outcomes on all single-item and multi-symptom scales. Employment was significantly associated with lower levels of psychosocial distress, anxiety, fatigue, and better QoL.

Conclusion: Young adult cancer survivors exhibited a high disposition for psychosocial distress. They reported excessive demands in everyday life and resumption of work. However, a longitudinal study of young adult cancer survivors is needed to confirm the results of this pilot study. In future, psycho-oncological and social support need to become an inherent part of the aftercare of survivors of young adult cancer survivors.

Keywords: Adolescents and young adults (AYA); Cancer survivor; Psychosocial distress; Quality of life; Sequelae.

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Conflict of interest statement

IH is vice chairperson of the board of trustees of the German Foundation for Young Adults with Cancer. All other authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Functioning and quality-of-life scores of the QLQ-C30. Comparison of the study population and the reference population (Geue et al. 2014)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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