Edgar AB, Borthwick S, Duffin K, Marciniak-Stepak P, Wallace WHB. Survivors of childhood cancer lost to follow-up can be re-engaged into active long-term follow-up by a postal health questionnaire intervention.
Eur J Cancer 2011;
48:1066-73. [PMID:
21737254 DOI:
10.1016/j.ejca.2011.06.009]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2011] [Revised: 05/05/2011] [Accepted: 06/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED
Lifelong long-term follow-up (LTFU) is recommended for all survivors of childhood cancer. National guidelines recommend risk-stratified levels of follow-up by a multidisciplinary team, in an age-appropriate environment. Many survivors do not participate in long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To re-engage childhood cancer survivors lost to follow-up in late effects programmes by means of postal questionnaire.
POPULATION AND METHODS
Retrospective cohort study of all children (<19 years) diagnosed with cancer in a single institution in the UK between 1971 and 2003. All lost to follow-up survivors (not seen in clinic >2 years) were sent a postal health and well-being questionnaire.
RESULTS
831 patients were diagnosed with childhood cancer between 1971 and 2003, with 575 long-term survivors (overall survival rate 69%). Information was available on 550 survivors (males 290 (53%), median age (range) at review 18.8 (5.4-44.2) years and at diagnosis 5.0 (0.0-18.8) years, and disease free survival (range) was 10.8 (1.0-37.4) years. Of the 550 survivors, 256 (46%) were lost to follow-up. 99 (39%) of lost to follow-up survivors returned completed postal questionnaires (58% female). 45% of responders reported at least one late effect, 36% mild-moderate, and 8% severe-life threatening. 19% reported two or more late effects. 74% of all childhood cancer survivors are now in active follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Almost half (46%) of all long-term survivors of childhood cancer are lost to follow-up, Postal follow-up is an effective means of re-engaging more than one third of survivors of childhood cancer in active long-term follow-up, half of whom had at least one late effect.
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