Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences of Complex Cancer Survivors.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Allicock MA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10964933 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Coping During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences of Complex Cancer Survivors.
Allicock Marlyn A MA Suragh Tiffany T Ward Rikki R Berry Aiden A Craddock Lee Simon J SJ Balasubramanian Bijal A BA
Clinical journal of oncology nursing 20231101 6
Patients with cancer and multiple chronic conditions (complex cancer survivors) are vulnerable to the negative impacts of COVID-19. However, their experiences and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic have not been e. ...[more]
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Project description:PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of AYAs aged 18-49 with cancer in Canada between January and February 2021. Data from survivors, defined as AYAs more than one year off cancer treatment, were analysed. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with psychological distress, loneliness and insomnia.ResultsThe analysis included 384 survivors. Moderate-to-severe psychological distress was reported by 257 (68.9%) survivors and was associated with an income ≥ $60,000 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.15, 95% CI 1.11-4.17) and the presence of a pre-existing chronic physical health condition (AOR 2.05, 95% CI 1.18-3.56). Loneliness was reported by 204 (54.0%) survivors and was associated with being unemployed (AOR 2.26 95%CI 1.18-4.31), pandemic causing finances to be worse (AOR 1.82, 95%CI 1.08-3.06) and the presence of a pre-pandemic mental health condition (AOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.03-3.42). Clinical insomnia was reported by 74 (19.5%) survivors and was associated with employment status as a student (AOR 3.00, 95% CI 1.08-8.29) or unemployed (AOR 3.97, 95% CI 1.46-10.83), earning $60,000 or more in the year 2020 (AOR 4.36, 95% CI 1.43-13.32), having haematologic cancer (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.05-4.70) and being single (AOR 2.52, 95% CI 1.08-5.91). Pandemic negatively affected employment, finances, physical activity, cancer care and substance use for 73.9%, 66.5%, 32.5%, 21.8% and 19.2% of survivors, respectively. Worries about finances, contracting COVID-19, cancer treatment increasing the risk of COVID-19 infection, and having poor health outcomes from contracting COVID-19 were reported by 46.0%, 45.6%, 55.0% and 47.3% of survivors, respectively.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on AYA cancer survivors, and these individuals report high levels of psychological distress, insomnia and loneliness.Implications for cancer survivorsCancer survivors are at risk for worsening mental and physical health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted interventions and support programs are urgently needed to support the mental health of AYA cancer survivors and optimize their health outcomes.
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