Positive and negative consequences of childhood cancer influencing the lives of young adultsShow others and affiliations
2009 (English)In: European Journal of Oncology Nursing, ISSN 1462-3889, E-ISSN 1532-2122, Vol. 13, no 3, p. 164-170Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
The aim of the study was to describe how young adults who have survived childhood cancer consider their present life to be influenced by the cancer experience. A cohort of 246 long-term survivors were approached a median of 16 years after diagnosis. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted based on the Swedish version of the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life-Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW). Interviews were analysed using content analyses. When asked if cancer negatively or positively currently affected their lives, 68% reported at least one negative consequence and 53% at least one positive consequence. The most frequently reported negative consequences include a variety of physical impairments and limitations in participating in activities; positive consequences describe a more positive view of life and of self. Women more often than men reported negative psychological impact, a changed body appearance and positive interaction with others. CNS tumours and combined treatment were somewhat associated to a higher extent of negative consequences. Overall, the results indicate that long-term survivors of childhood cancer are getting along quite well despite shortcomings.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2009. Vol. 13, no 3, p. 164-170
Keywords [en]
Adolescent; Content analysis; Interview; Long-term; Paediatric malignancies; Quality of life; SEIQoL-DW; Survivors
National Category
Health Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-1688DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2008.05.009ISI: 000269426000005PubMedID: 18842454Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-67849121211OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hig-1688DiVA, id: diva2:118350
2008-05-122008-05-122018-03-13Bibliographically approved