Trying to Feel Normal Again: Early Survivorship for Adolescent Cancer Survivors.
Amy J Walker, Frances M Lewis, Yuting Lin and 2 others
PMID 30024440WHAT IT FOUND
Adolescent cancer survivors viewed their illness as an acute event that ended with treatment, not a chronic condition requiring long-term monitoring.
They focused on returning to school and normal social life, with only two mentioning future late effects, highlighting a gap in awareness for follow-up care.
Key findings
01Survivors viewed cancer as an acute illness that resolved when treatment ended, rather than an enduring condition requiring long-term follow-up.
02Only two adolescents mentioned the possibility of future health issues arising from treatment, while most worried about relapse.
03Adolescents struggled with returning to school and social life, citing fatigue, organizational difficulties, and pressure from parents to act normal.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was mostly Caucasian and English-speaking, limiting generalizability. Participants were recruited from a single center in the Pacific Northwest. Data came from single-occasion telephone interviews, which may be affected by recall bias. The study excluded survivors of brain tumors, those who had transplants, and those who had surgery only, so findings do not apply to these groups.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that adolescent survivors understand the need for long-term follow-up care. The study found that most viewed cancer as an acute illness that ended with treatment, and only two mentioned future late effects, so silence on this topic may indicate a lack of awareness rather than acceptance.