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Quality of life among survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer in Canada: A Young Adults With Cancer in Their Prime (YACPRIME) study
Author(s) -
Schulte Fiona S. M.,
Chalifour Karine,
Eaton Geoff,
Garland Sheila N.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.33372
Subject(s) - medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , young adult , odds ratio , population , demography , mental health , cancer , logistic regression , gerontology , odds , environmental health , psychiatry , nursing , sociology
Background The quality of life (QoL) among survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer may be compromised compared with that in the general population. In this study, the authors: 1) assessed for differences in QoL among a national study of AYA cancer survivors compared with the Canadian population and 2) explored the factors associated with poorer QoL in AYA cancer survivors. Methods For the current research, data from the Young Adults With Cancer in Their Prime study were used. QoL was measured using physical and mental component scores from a 12‐item short‐form health status measure. A comparison group was derived from the Canadian Community Health Survey. Results AYAs (n = 195; 17.8% male; mean ± SD: 35.62 ± 6.89 years on study, 6.48 ± 5.73 years from treatment) were compared with a comparison sample (n = 665; 21.2% male). Among survivors, 31.8% reported poor physical health, and 49.7% reported poor mental health. Compared with the general population, AYAs had significantly lower physical health (F[1,818] = 52.80; P = .00) and mental health (F[1,818] = 83.54; P = .00), controlling for sex and age. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that an annual income level <$40,000 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 8.32; 95% CI, 2.85‐24.30), poor sleep quality (AOR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06‐1.33), worse body image (AOR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02‐1.14), and higher social support (AOR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.05) were significantly associated with poor physical health. Poor sleep quality (AOR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.08‐1.38), body image (AOR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.12), fear of cancer recurrence (AOR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.06‐1.21) were associated with poor mental health. Conclusions The QoL of AYAs requires urgent attention. Sleep, body image, and social support may be important modifiable targets for intervention to improve their QoL.