The Effect of Transition Clinics on Knowledge of Diagnosis and Perception of Risk in Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Rohit G. Ganju, Emory University; Ronica H. Nanda, Emory University; Natia Esiashvili, Emory University; Jeffrey Switchenko, Emory University; Karen Wasilewski-Masker, Emory University; Jordan Marchak, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2016-07-08
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: r 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MPH.0000000000000531
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
• ISSN: 1077-4114
• Volume: 38
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: 197
• End Page: 201
• Grant/Funding Information: The research was also supported by a multiyear grant from the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research; Supported in part by the Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource of the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and NIH/NCI under award number P30CA138292.
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Pediatrics; Oncology; behavioral studies; transition clinics; CARE; pediatric oncology; ADOLESCENT; late effects of cancer treatment; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Hematology
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Oncology; Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

© 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.Background: Improved treatment for pediatric cancers has ensured an evergrowing population of patients surviving into adulthood. The current study evaluated the impact of previous engagement in survivor care on patient knowledge and awareness of health risks as young adults. Procedure: Young adult survivors of childhood cancers (N=93,M age=23.63 y) were recruited during their annual survivor clinic visit. Participants completed self-reported measures of demographics, treatment knowledge, perception of future health risks, participation in previous survivor care, and neurocognitive functioning. Results: In total, 82% of patients (N=76/93) reported previously participating in survivorship care. These patients were more likely to have knowledge of their radiation treatment (P=0.034) and more likely to recognize risk for future health effects from their treatment (P=0.019). Income between $10,000 and $24,999 (odds ratio=0.168; 95% confidence interval, 0.046-0.616; P=0.031) was associated with decreased patient knowledge regarding diagnosis. Male sex (odds ratio=0.324; 95% confidence interval, 0.135-0.777; P=0.012) was associated with less knowledge of future health risks. Patients with self-reported difficulties on the CCSS-NCQ were more likely to regard their cancer treatment as a future health risk. Conclusion: Participation in survivor care plays an important role in imparting information to young adult survivors of pediatric cancer regarding their disease history and risk for future health problems.