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Reuvers MJP, Gedik A, Way KM, Elbersen-van de Stadt SM, van der Graaf WTA, Husson O. Caring for Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) with Cancer: A Scoping Review into Caregiver Burdens and Needs. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3263. [PMID: 37370873 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
AYAs with cancer (aged 15 to 39 at primary diagnosis) form a specific group within oncology, and there is limited information on the impact on their informal caregivers. This scoping review aimed to gain insight into the burden on caregivers of AYAs with cancer and identify the unmet needs they might have. Eligible articles focused on impacts in one of the domains of caregiver burden (physical, psychological, social, on schedule, financial) or unmet needs. In all domains of caregiver burden, impact was reported by caregivers. Caregiving leads to physical problems (such as sleep problems) and psychological symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, and negative emotions). Loneliness is reported, and little peer-support. Many different tasks and roles must be undertaken, which is perceived as challenging. In addition, there is a financial impact and there are unmet needs to be met. Several domains of the lives of caregivers of AYA cancer patients are negatively affected by the disease. Some of these are age-specific, and tailored to a particular group of caregivers (parents, partners, or friends). AYA cancer patients represent a wide age range, resulting in the engagement of many different caregivers. Future research will need to take this into account in order to adequately provide support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milou J P Reuvers
- Division of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1006 BE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Asiye Gedik
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kirsty M Way
- School of Heath Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | | | - Winette T A van der Graaf
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, 1006 BE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Olga Husson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Ochoa-Dominguez CY, Miller KA, Banegas MP, Sabater-Minarim D, Chan RY. Psychological Impact and Coping Strategies of Hispanic Parents of Children with Cancer: A Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5928. [PMID: 37297532 PMCID: PMC10252186 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20115928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the cancer trajectory, parents of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) may experience mental and social challenges requiring continual adaptation to cancer-induced stress. Using Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping framework, this qualitative study aimed to describe Hispanic parents' psychological health and explore their coping strategies. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 15 Hispanic caregivers from a safety-net hospital in Los Angeles County. To be eligible, participants had to be: the primary caregiver of a CCS who had completed active treatment, the primary caregiver or child self-identified as Hispanic, and proficient in English or Spanish. The interviews lasted approximately 60 min, were audio-recorded (in English and Spanish), and professionally transcribed. Data were analyzed following a thematic content analysis with deductive and inductive approaches on Dedoose. Participants described high levels of stress and fear when their child was diagnosed with cancer. They also shared experiencing symptoms of social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Participants' coping strategies were encompassed by three major themes: problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidant coping strategies. Problem-focused coping strategies included self-efficacy, behavioral change, and social support. Emotion-focused coping strategies included religious practices and positive reframing. Avoidant coping strategies included denial and self-distraction. Despite the evident disparities in psychological health for Hispanic parents of CCSs, gaps remain in designing a culturally tailored program to help alleviate the caregiver burden. This study provides insights regarding coping strategies that Hispanic caregivers use to deal with the psychological impact of their child's cancer diagnosis. Our findings also delve into the contextual and cultural factors that impact psychological adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Y. Ochoa-Dominguez
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
- Center for Health Equity Education and Research, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kimberly A. Miller
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90032, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Matthew P. Banegas
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Center for Health Equity Education and Research, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Daniel Sabater-Minarim
- Center for Health Equity Education and Research, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Randall Y. Chan
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Patterson P, McDonald FEJ, Allison KR, Bibby H, Osborn M, Matthews K, Sansom-Daly UM, Thompson K, Plaster M, Anazodo A. The Clinical Utility of the Adolescent and Young Adult Psycho-Oncology Screening Tool (AYA-POST): Perspectives of AYA Cancer Patients and Healthcare Professionals. Front Psychol 2022; 13:872830. [PMID: 35602702 PMCID: PMC9120841 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.872830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Routine psychosocial screening and assessment of people diagnosed with cancer are crucial to the timely detection of distress and provision of tailored supportive care; however, appropriate screening tools have been lacking for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), who have unique needs and experiences. One exception is the recently validated AYA Psycho-Oncology Screening Tool (AYA-POST) for use with young people aged 15–29 years, which comprises a distress thermometer and age-specific needs assessment. This study investigates the clinical utility of this measure, as well as the subsequent service responsiveness within the Australian Youth Cancer Services. Method In total, 118 AYAs and 29 healthcare professionals: (HCPs) completed surveys about the clinical utility of the AYA-POST; a subset of 30 AYAs completed a 3-month follow-up survey assessing service responsiveness. Descriptive statistics (frequencies/means) were computed for all items, with chi-square analyses used to explore whether perceived clinical utility varied with AYA age, AYA sex, HCP discipline or HCP length of time using the AYA-POST. Results Participants’ responses demonstrate high levels of satisfaction with the tool, evidencing its appropriateness, practicability and acceptability. Moreover, the AYA-POST was reported to facilitate communication about psychosocial needs and prompt referrals, indicating good service responsiveness. Ratings of clinical utility did not differ significantly between AYA and HCP groups. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the AYA-POST is an appropriate tool in the psychosocial screening of AYAs with cancer, facilitating the identification of distress and unique concerns in this population and valuable in triaging and tailoring care for young cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pandora Patterson
- Canteen Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Pandora Patterson,
| | - Fiona E. J. McDonald
- Canteen Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Michael Osborn
- South Australia/Northern Territory Youth Cancer Service, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Haematology and Oncology, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Karen Matthews
- New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory Youth Cancer Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ursula M. Sansom-Daly
- New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory Youth Cancer Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, Randwick Clinical Campus, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kate Thompson
- Victoria/Tasmania Youth Cancer Service, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Meg Plaster
- Western Australia Youth Cancer Service, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Antoinette Anazodo
- New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory Youth Cancer Service, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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