PURPOSE: To examine educational and occupational outcomes among survivors of childhood cancer and peers during the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood. METHODS: Families were recruited when children with cancer were 8 to 15 years old and receiving initial treatment for a malignancy that did not primarily affect the central nervous system (CNS). At that time, each child with cancer was matched to a classmate of similar age, gender, and race for inclusion in a comparison group. For the current follow-up (7.29 years postdiagnosis), 56 survivors, 60 peers, and their parents completed questionnaires soon after the youth's 18th birthday. Severity of treatment and late effects were rated by healthcare providers. RESULTS: Survivors and peers were similar on a variety of outcomes, including family background, scholastic and occupational self-concept, and academic competence. However, survivors were more likely to report repeating a grade and having more school absences. The proportion of participants who graduated from high school, were working, and expressed plans to attend postsecondary education or seek employment were similar between groups. Initial treatment intensity, time since diagnosis, and severity of late effects were associated with several indices of educational and occupational attainment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being more likely to repeat a grade and miss school, survivors of nonCNS cancer were similar to peers on most educational and occupational outcomes during the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood. Interventions to assist academic or occupational functioning may not be necessary for all survivors, but additional research is needed to identify subgroups at risk for difficulties.
PURPOSE: To examine educational and occupational outcomes among survivors of childhood cancer and peers during the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood. METHODS: Families were recruited when children with cancer were 8 to 15 years old and receiving initial treatment for a malignancy that did not primarily affect the central nervous system (CNS). At that time, each child with cancer was matched to a classmate of similar age, gender, and race for inclusion in a comparison group. For the current follow-up (7.29 years postdiagnosis), 56 survivors, 60 peers, and their parents completed questionnaires soon after the youth's 18th birthday. Severity of treatment and late effects were rated by healthcare providers. RESULTS: Survivors and peers were similar on a variety of outcomes, including family background, scholastic and occupational self-concept, and academic competence. However, survivors were more likely to report repeating a grade and having more school absences. The proportion of participants who graduated from high school, were working, and expressed plans to attend postsecondary education or seek employment were similar between groups. Initial treatment intensity, time since diagnosis, and severity of late effects were associated with several indices of educational and occupational attainment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being more likely to repeat a grade and miss school, survivors of nonCNS cancer were similar to peers on most educational and occupational outcomes during the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood. Interventions to assist academic or occupational functioning may not be necessary for all survivors, but additional research is needed to identify subgroups at risk for difficulties.
Authors: Sara Ghaderi; Anders Engeland; Maria Winther Gunnes; Dag Moster; Ellen Ruud; Astri Syse; Finn Wesenberg; Tone Bjørge Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2015-05-01 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: Allison A King; Mark J Rodeghier; Julie Ann Panepinto; John J Strouse; James F Casella; Charles T Quinn; Michael M Dowling; Sharada A Sarnaik; Alexis A Thompson; Gerald M Woods; Caterina P Minniti; Rupa C Redding-Lallinger; Melanie Kirby-Allen; Fenella J Kirkham; Robert McKinstry; Michael J Noetzel; Desiree A White; Janet K Kwiatkowski; Thomas H Howard; Karen A Kalinyak; Baba Inusa; Melissa M Rhodes; Mark E Heiny; Ben Fuh; Jason M Fixler; Mae O Gordon; Michael R DeBaun Journal: Am J Hematol Date: 2014-08-04 Impact factor: 10.047
Authors: Grayson N Holmbeck; Ann I Alriksson-Schmidt; Melissa H Bellin; Cecily Betz; Katie A Devine Journal: Pediatr Clin North Am Date: 2010-08 Impact factor: 3.278
Authors: Ida M Ki Moore; Philip J Lupo; Kathleen Insel; Lynnette L Harris; Alice Pasvogel; Kari M Koerner; Kristin B Adkins; Olga A Taylor; Marilyn J Hockenberry Journal: Cancer Nurs Date: 2016 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 2.592
Authors: Inga M R Jóhannsdóttir; Marianne J Hjermstad; Torbjørn Moum; Finn Wesenberg; Lars Hjorth; Henrik Schrøder; Päivi Lähteenmäki; Gudmundur Jónmundsson; Jon H Loge Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2010-01-16 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: Andrew J Copp; N Scott Adzick; Lyn S Chitty; Jack M Fletcher; Grayson N Holmbeck; Gary M Shaw Journal: Nat Rev Dis Primers Date: 2015-04-30 Impact factor: 52.329