Longitudinal needs and cancer knowledge in Swiss childhood cancer survivors transitioning from pediatric to adult follow-up care: results from the ACCS project.
Discov Oncol
; 15(1): 450, 2024 Sep 16.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39285081
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Childhood Cancer Survivors (CCSs) have an increased risk for treatment-related chronic health conditions, but the adherence to long-term follow-up (LTFU) care decreases over time. We therefore assessed the CCSs' development of cancer knowledge, cancer worries, self-management skills, and expectations for LTFU care in a structured, cancer center-based transition model-a crucial part for maintaining adherence.METHODS:
Using questionnaire-based surveys, we compared the CCSs' cancer knowledge with medical record data and assessed cancer worries (6 questions), self-management skills (15 questions), and expectations (12 questions) longitudinally by validated scales. We used descriptive statistics for presenting our results.RESULTS:
We analyzed 17 CCSs, 71% were female, had a median age of 8 years at diagnosis and 21 years at study enrollment. The knowledge about late effects increased during the transition process, except for the risk of secondary malignancies. Leukemia survivors had a decrease in cancer worries. At least 75% of the CCSs agreed to 11 of 15 self-management questions before and after transition, with the highest increase over time in less parental involvement. The CCSs expected the most, that physicians know the CCSs' cancer history, that the visit starts on time, and that physicians can always be called in case of questions.CONCLUSIONS:
Our transition model improved cancer knowledge, especially the risk for late effects, decreased cancer worries, and identified expectations for LTFU care which should be considered in the future. A structured transition process with evidence-based tools further increases the knowledge of CCS for LTFU through empowerment.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Discov Oncol
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Suiza
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos