PERSISTENT SYMPTOMS, QUALITY OF LIFE AND CORRELATES WITH HEALTH SELF-EFFICACY IN SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER

Abstract

Introduction The numbers of adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer are exponentially growing. To ensure suitable services are available to meet the needs of this growing population, understanding the experience of late effects, quality of life, and potentially modifiable factors, such as self-efficacy, is required. Methods AYA survivors of childhood cancer recruited through an After Cancer Therapy Service at a Children's Hospital rated their symptoms experience, quality of life, and self-efficacy using validated measures. Quality-of-life scores were compared with population norms. Regression analyses were used to explore the relationships between symptom experience, quality of life, and self-efficacy. Results Thirty participants (mean age 22 years) reported an average of nine symptoms as persistently experienced at moderate or higher rated intensity. Over 50% had finished treatment 10 or more years ago. Around twothirds of participants were confident in their ability to self-manage their health. Analysis identified a statistically significant increase in the overall quality of life with increased self-efficacy, adjusted for age and sex. Higher symptom burden was associated with a lower overall quality of life after adjusting for age and sex. Conclusions Young cancer survivors experience a substantial number of persistent symptoms related to their cancer treatment that may negatively impact aspects of their quality of life. Health self-efficacy is a potential target for future interventions.L6384736322022-07-20 <br />