Late effects surveillance adherence among young adult childhood cancer survivors: A population-based study

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2024 Dec;71(12):e31328. doi: 10.1002/pbc.31328. Epub 2024 Sep 17.

Abstract

Lifelong, guideline-based monitoring for late effects is recommended for childhood cancer survivors (CCS). We examined rates of receiving surveillance tests among at-risk young adult CCS in a population-based study (n = 253; 50% Hispanic/Latino; mean post-treatment interval 14.5 years, range: 5-22). Adherence rates were 36.1%, 31.9%, and 36.4% among those indicated for cardiac (n = 119), thyroid (n = 68), and breast (n = 66) surveillance, respectively, indicating that poor surveillance among long-term CCS is widespread. Receipt of any of these surveillance tests was positively associated with being in follow-up care, having any health insurance (vs. none), and receiving education about need for follow-up with surveillance (all p-values less than .05).

Keywords: childhood cancers; late effects; surveillance; young adults.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cancer Survivors* / statistics & numerical data
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Patient Compliance / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult