Sarah Drew1. 1. Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, 2 Gatehouse St, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. drewse@unimelb.edu.au
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To explore how having cancer in childhood influences social and personal wellbeing in young adulthood. METHODS: Questionnaires (55) eliciting lengthy written responses and in-depth interviews (32) were used with male and female survivors of cancer in childhood (aged between 18 and 28 years). Analysis drew on a combination of grounded-theory techniques and narrative analysis. RESULTS: Three key areas are outlined relating to the characterization of survivorship by participants. These include highlighting survival as not necessarily a simple end to a cancer story, issues relating to post-cancer bodily self-concept and its gendering, and, efforts at managing uncertainties through medical interactions and information gathering. DISCUSSION: Participant stories in this study illustrate that even in long-term survival, cancer is present as a web of ongoing influences from the original disease and treatment, as well as the social and personal aftershocks that can occur well after malignant cells have been controlled. Findings highlight the necessity for complex redevelopment of healthcare services and social support provisions for this growing population.
OBJECTIVES: To explore how having cancer in childhood influences social and personal wellbeing in young adulthood. METHODS: Questionnaires (55) eliciting lengthy written responses and in-depth interviews (32) were used with male and female survivors of cancer in childhood (aged between 18 and 28 years). Analysis drew on a combination of grounded-theory techniques and narrative analysis. RESULTS: Three key areas are outlined relating to the characterization of survivorship by participants. These include highlighting survival as not necessarily a simple end to a cancer story, issues relating to post-cancer bodily self-concept and its gendering, and, efforts at managing uncertainties through medical interactions and information gathering. DISCUSSION: Participant stories in this study illustrate that even in long-term survival, cancer is present as a web of ongoing influences from the original disease and treatment, as well as the social and personal aftershocks that can occur well after malignant cells have been controlled. Findings highlight the necessity for complex redevelopment of healthcare services and social support provisions for this growing population.
Authors: Chandylen L Nightingale; Gwendolyn P Quinn; Elizabeth A Shenkman; Barbara A Curbow; Bradley J Zebrack; Kevin R Krull; I-Chan Huang Journal: J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol Date: 2011-09 Impact factor: 2.223
Authors: I-Chan Huang; Gwendolyn P Quinn; Pey-Shan Wen; Elizabeth A Shenkman; Dennis A Revicki; Kevin Krull; Zhushan Li; Patricia D Shearer Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2011-11-20 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: I-Chan Huang; Gwendolyn P Quinn; Kevin Krull; Katie Z Eddleton; Devin C Murphy; Elizabeth A Shenkman; Patricia D Shearer Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2011-11-22 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Malin Ander; Anna Wikman; Brjánn Ljótsson; Helena Grönqvist; Gustaf Ljungman; Joanne Woodford; Annika Lindahl Norberg; Louise von Essen Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2017-01-27 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: A Fuchsia Howard; Karen Goddard; Jason Tan de Bibiana; Sheila Pritchard; Robert Olson; Arminee Kazanjian Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2016-01-30 Impact factor: 4.442