Dataset Information

The Lived Experience of Young Adult Cancer Survivors after Treatment: A Qualitative Study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The purpose of this qualitative study was to compare the lived experiences among extended (one year or less post-treatment) and long-term (three years or more post-treatment) young adult (YA) cancer survivors (ages 18-39 years old).

Methods

Two trained researchers conducted semi-structured interviews inquiring about the overall lived experience of N = 24 YA cancer survivors (n = 12 extended and n = 12 long-term). The same two researchers independently completed line-by-line coding and thematic content analysis.

Results

Interviews lasted an average of 41 min and revealed common themes of symptoms, psychosocial concerns, coping, and changes in health behaviors (e.g., nutrition and physical activity). All participants discussed symptoms impairing their quality of life and affecting their fear of recurrence. Specific psychosocial concerns among extended survivors were appearance-related (e.g., hair loss, weight gain) whereas concerns among long-term survivors included job loss, fertility, and financial stress. Coping strategies described by extended survivors were often distraction-based (e.g., watching television to "escape"), while long-term survivors described more active coping strategies (e.g., yoga, meditation, and seeking support from family and friends). Most survivors reflected on limited physical activity or unhealthy eating during treatment; however, nearly all declared healthy eating and physical activity post-treatment to improve well-being.

Conclusions

YA cancer survivors report differing symptoms, psychosocial concerns, and coping strategies across time since treatment. While survivors reported challenges with physical activity and nutrition during treatment, nearly all emphasized the importance of these health behaviors post-treatment. Thus, health behavior interventions could represent a preferred approach to address post-treatment challenges and improve quality of life for YA survivors.

SUBMITTER: Crowder SL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10385438 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The Lived Experience of Young Adult Cancer Survivors after Treatment: A Qualitative Study.

Crowder Sylvia L SL Sauls Rachel R Gudenkauf Lisa M LM James Christy C Skinner Amber A Reed Damon R DR Stern Marilyn M

Nutrients 20230714 14

<h4>Objective</h4>The purpose of this qualitative study was to compare the lived experiences among extended (one year or less post-treatment) and long-term (three years or more post-treatment) young adult (YA) cancer survivors (ages 18-39 years old).<h4>Methods</h4>Two trained researchers conducted semi-structured interviews inquiring about the overall lived experience of <i>N</i> = 24 YA cancer survivors (<i>n</i> = 12 extended and <i>n</i> = 12 long-term). The same two researchers independentl ...[more]

PMID: 37513563

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Dataset Information

The Lived Experience of Young Adult Cancer Survivors after Treatment: A Qualitative Study.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

The Lived Experience of Young Adult Cancer Survivors after Treatment: A Qualitative Study.

Similar Datasets

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