Psychosocial outcomes and interventions among cancer survivors diagnosed during adolescence and young adulthood (AYA): a systematic review
Open accessAbstract
Purpose A cancer diagnosis during adolescence or young adulthood (AYA; defined as ages 15-39) generates unique medical and psychosocial needs as developmental milestones are simultaneously impacted. Past research highlights that AYAs' experiences and psychosocial outcomes are different, and more research and attention is needed. We aimed to identify and synthesize literature regarding psychosocial outcomes, unique needs, and existing psychosocial interventions pertaining to individuals diagnosed with cancer exclusively during AYA, and to highlight areas for future research.Methods A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, and PsycINFO (via OVID). Grey literature was searched using key term variations and combinations. Overall, 15,301 records were assessed by two independent reviewers, with 38 studies meeting inclusion criteria.Results Data synthesis of the 38 articles was organized by four main themes based on quality of life and survivorship: physical well-being (7 studies), psychological well-being (8 studies), social well-being (9 studies), and survivorship care (14 studies). The paucity of studies for such broad inclusion criteria highlights that this population is often combined or subsumed under other age groups, missing needs unique to these AYAs.Conclusions AYA cancer survivors' experiences are nuanced, with interacting variables contributing to post-treatment outcomes. AYAs require age-appropriate and flexible care, informational needs and treatment-related education that foster autonomy for long-term survivorship, as well as improved follow-up care and psychological outcomes.Implications for cancer survivors By incorporating these findings into practice, the informational and unmet needs of AYAs can be addressed effectively. Education and programming is lacking specific and general subject matter specific to AYAs, incorporating ranging needs at different treatment stages.
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Flexibility in care and age-appropriate psychoeducational materials increase autonomy and improve physical and psychological outcomes in young adults through survivorship.
“Flexibility in care and age-appropriate psychoeducational materials have been found to increase autonomy and improve physical and psychological outcomes in YAs through survivorship.4”
From Cancer during a pandemic: A psychosocial telehealth intervention for young adults (2022) · cites this paper as [4]
The Abstract Conclusions and Discussion say age-appropriate, flexible care and treatment-related education can foster autonomy and improve psychological outcomes during AYA survivorship. They do not establish that these measures improve physical outcomes; the Results (Physical well-being and symptoms) report that an information-based workshop did not increase self-reported physical activity after six months. Page numbers are not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)
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References 53 · Cited by 308
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- [52]Zebrack BJ Mills J Weitzman TS Health and supportive care needs of young adult cancer patients and survivors J Cancer Surviv Res Pract 2007 1 137 45 18648954
- [54]Rabin C Simpson N Morrow K Pinto B Intervention format and delivery preferences among young adult cancer survivors Int J Behav Med 2013 20 304 10 22328444
- Authors
- Barnett, M., McDonnell, G., DeRosa, A., Schuler, T., Philip, E., Peterson, L., Touza, K., Jhanwar, S., Atkinson, T. M., & Ford, J. S.
- Affiliations
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center (US)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (US)
- University of Notre Dame (US)
- Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ford, Jennifer S.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Cancer Survivorship
- Published
- 2016-02-26
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 814-831
- ISSN
- 1932-2259 (ISSN-L)
- 1932-2267
- PMC
- PMC5001943
- OpenAlex
- W2282238288
- Cited by
- 308
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 33 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 2.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Journal of Cancer Survivorship (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (T32 CA009461-25, P30 CA08748-49)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Family Support in Illness
- Keywords
- adolescent and young adult cancer, cancer survivors, psychosocial outcomes, psychosocial interventions, quality of life, survivorship care, psychological well-being, social well-being, physical well-being, patient education, unmet needs, age-appropriate care
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Humans, Neoplasms, Quality of Life, Stress, Psychological, Survivors, Young Adult
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