BACKGROUND: Among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in the United States, cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death. AYA survivors face numerous short- and long-term health and psychosocial issues, as well as increased risk for behavioral and lifestyle challenges, including poor diet, low physical activity (PA), and substance abuse. Many of these behaviors are modifiable, but gaps in care serve as barriers for AYA survivors. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to (a) raise awareness of AYAs' increased risk for poor diet, low PA, and substance abuse; (b) examine previous interventions addressing these issues; and (c) provide recommendations for future directions. METHODS: This article summarizes a workshop coordinated by the Institute of Medicine and the Livestrong Foundation to address AYA survivors' needs and ways to enhance their quality of care. FINDINGS: Oncology nurses can promote the inclusion of lifestyle behaviors in survivorship care plans of AYA patients and serve as a valuable resource in improving AYA care on a larger scale. In addition, oncology nurse researchers may offer greater understanding of AYA patients' and survivors' needs and best practices by conducting much-needed research with this understudied population.
BACKGROUND: Among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in the United States, cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death. AYA survivors face numerous short- and long-term health and psychosocial issues, as well as increased risk for behavioral and lifestyle challenges, including poor diet, low physical activity (PA), and substance abuse. Many of these behaviors are modifiable, but gaps in care serve as barriers for AYA survivors. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to (a) raise awareness of AYAs' increased risk for poor diet, low PA, and substance abuse; (b) examine previous interventions addressing these issues; and (c) provide recommendations for future directions. METHODS: This article summarizes a workshop coordinated by the Institute of Medicine and the Livestrong Foundation to address AYA survivors' needs and ways to enhance their quality of care. FINDINGS: Oncology nurses can promote the inclusion of lifestyle behaviors in survivorship care plans of AYA patients and serve as a valuable resource in improving AYA care on a larger scale. In addition, oncology nurse researchers may offer greater understanding of AYA patients' and survivors' needs and best practices by conducting much-needed research with this understudied population.
Entities:
Keywords:
adolescent; cancer; physical activity; substance abuse; survivor; young adult
Authors: Cheryl L Cox; Rosemary A McLaughlin; Shesh N Rai; Brenda D Steen; Melissa M Hudson Journal: Pediatr Blood Cancer Date: 2005-08 Impact factor: 3.167
Authors: Leslie L Robison; Daniel M Green; Melissa Hudson; Anna T Meadows; Ann C Mertens; Roger J Packer; Charles A Sklar; Louise C Strong; Yutaka Yasui; Lonnie K Zeltzer Journal: Cancer Date: 2005-12-01 Impact factor: 6.921
Authors: Karen M Emmons; Rita M Butterfield; Elaine Puleo; Elyse R Park; Ann Mertens; Ellen R Gritz; Maureen Lahti; Fredrick P Li Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2003-01-15 Impact factor: 50.717
Authors: Giselle K Perez; John M Salsman; Kaitlyn Fladeboe; Anne C Kirchhoff; Elyse R Park; Abby R Rosenberg Journal: Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book Date: 2020-03
Authors: Xu Ji; Xin Hu; Katharine E Brock; Ann C Mertens; Janet R Cummings; Karen E Effinger Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 2022-06-13 Impact factor: 11.816
Authors: Hena Naz Din; David Strong; Savitri Singh-Carlson; Heather L Corliss; Sheri J Hartman; Hala Madanat; H Irene Su Journal: Cancer Date: 2021-10-11 Impact factor: 6.921
Authors: Bernard F Fuemmeler; Ed Holzwarth; Yaou Sheng; Elizabeth K Do; Carrie A Miller; Julie Blatt; Philip M Rosoff; Truls Østbye Journal: Games Health J Date: 2020-05-08