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Young Adult Cancer Survivorship
A Growing Need
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates as of January 2000 there were approximately 9.6 million cancer survivors in the United States. Within that number resides the second fastest growing population of cancer survivors in the country, adolescents and young adults. Each year, 70,000 people between the ages of 18-40 are diagnosed with cancer. Currently, more than one in every 900 persons in the United States between the ages of 20 and 45 years of age are survivors of childhood cancer. Cancer is the leading disease killer among 20-39 year-olds. Moreover, the young adult population is the most likely to be uninsured or underinsured - too old for their parents plans and not established in careers with full health benefits.
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Survivors Taking Action and Responsibility (STAR)
Survivors of childhood cancers often go on to live full and productive lives, but the treatments they've received and the disease itself put them at risk for future medical problems. Thirty years after diagnosis, as many as 68% will have at least one health problem, such as a secondary cancer, thyroid disorder or cardiac dysfunction; and 31% will have multiple complications.
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Finding Help and Support
Support for coping with cancer comes from different places, such as family, friends, other people with cancer, support groups, interactive websites, and health care professionals. Many young adults with cancer find that they need different kinds of support throughout the cancer experience.
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Partners of Patients Affected
The study, which examined long-term quality of life issues for the partners of patients, found that while partners of cancer survivors reported better physical health and less fatigue than cancer survivors an average of seven years after cancer treatment, they experienced equal levels of mental health impairment. The study further found that while similar numbers of partners and survivors suffered from clinical depression (20% vs. 22%), depressed partners were less likely than depressed survivors to receive mental health treatment (34% vs. 58%). Partners also reported less social support, spiritual well-being, marital satisfaction, and more loneliness than survivors. Unlike survivors, partners reported little positive personal change occurring as a result of the experience with cancer.
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Maintaining Practical Information
Cancer can affect ever area of your life. Maintaining complete records on the practical and legal areas of your life may allow you to be more comfortable making important decisions. Often survivors can experience peace of mind when their personal affairs are in order.
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