Kaitlyn M Fladeboe1, Samantha Scott1, Miranda C Bradford1, Tyler G Ketterl2,3, Joyce P Yi-Frazier1, Abby R Rosenberg1,2,4. 1. Center for Clinical and Translational Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA. 2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA. 3. Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA. 4. Division of Bioethics/Palliative Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Abstract
Purpose: Despite health implications, sexual activity and substance use among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) receiving cancer treatment are understudied. Methods: AYAs 12-25 years of age participated in a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a resilience intervention. They were fluent in English and either diagnosed with new cancer (NC) or advanced cancer (AC). At baseline and 6 months, participants self-reported sexual activity and substance use. We describe the percentage of AYAs who endorsed each behavior and a count of total behaviors endorsed by each respondent. We describe frequencies by sex/gender (male/female), age (<18/≥18), and disease status (AC/NC). Results:Participants (N = 92) were majority white/Caucasian (57%), 12-17 years old (73%), and diagnosed with leukemia/lymphoma (62%); 32% had AC. Responses were not associated with the intervention; hence, we summarized data from the whole cohort. At both time points, median behavior endorsed was 2. At baseline and follow-up, 87% and 81% endorsed at least 1 behavior: 13% and 15% were sexually active, 75% and 73% of whom used birth control inconsistently; and 22% and 22% reported drinking alcohol, 31% and 27% using prescription opioids/sedatives, 19% and 22% using other drugs, and 9% and 7% using tobacco. Young adults engaged in most behaviors more frequently than adolescents (e.g., 48% vs. 12% alcohol at baseline); males engaged in sexual activity more frequently than females (e.g., 20% vs. 5% sexually active at baseline); and AYAs with NC engaged in most behaviors more frequently than those with AC (18% vs. 0% sexually active at baseline). Conclusion: AYAs engage in sexual activity and substance use during cancer treatment.
RCT Entities:
Purpose: Despite health implications, sexual activity and substance use among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) receiving cancer treatment are understudied. Methods: AYAs 12-25 years of age participated in a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a resilience intervention. They were fluent in English and either diagnosed with new cancer (NC) or advanced cancer (AC). At baseline and 6 months, participants self-reported sexual activity and substance use. We describe the percentage of AYAs who endorsed each behavior and a count of total behaviors endorsed by each respondent. We describe frequencies by sex/gender (male/female), age (<18/≥18), and disease status (AC/NC). Results:Participants (N = 92) were majority white/Caucasian (57%), 12-17 years old (73%), and diagnosed with leukemia/lymphoma (62%); 32% had AC. Responses were not associated with the intervention; hence, we summarized data from the whole cohort. At both time points, median behavior endorsed was 2. At baseline and follow-up, 87% and 81% endorsed at least 1 behavior: 13% and 15% were sexually active, 75% and 73% of whom used birth control inconsistently; and 22% and 22% reported drinking alcohol, 31% and 27% using prescription opioids/sedatives, 19% and 22% using other drugs, and 9% and 7% using tobacco. Young adults engaged in most behaviors more frequently than adolescents (e.g., 48% vs. 12% alcohol at baseline); males engaged in sexual activity more frequently than females (e.g., 20% vs. 5% sexually active at baseline); and AYAs with NC engaged in most behaviors more frequently than those with AC (18% vs. 0% sexually active at baseline). Conclusion: AYAs engage in sexual activity and substance use during cancer treatment.
Entities:
Keywords:
communication; risk behavior; screening; sexual health; substance use
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