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Kirchhoff AC, Waters AR, Chevrier A, Wolfson JA. Access to Care for Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer in the United States: State of the Literature. J Clin Oncol 2024; 42:642-652. [PMID: 37939320 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.01027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Access to care remains a persistent challenge for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. We review key findings in the science to date. (1) Location of care matters. There is survival benefit for AYAs treated either at a pediatric center or site with special status (eg, Children's Oncology Group, National Cancer Institute [NCI]-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center). (2) Socioeconomic status and insurance require further investigation. Medicaid expansion has had a moderate effect on AYA outcomes. The dependent care expansion benefit has come largely from improvements in coverage for younger populations whose parents have insurance, while some subgroups likely still face insurance gaps. (3) Clinical trial enrollment remains poor, but access may be improving. Numerous barriers and facilitators of clinical trial enrollment include those that are system level and patient level. NCI has established several initiatives over the past decade to improve enrollment, and newer collaboratives have recently brought together multidisciplinary US teams to increase clinical trial enrollment. (4) Effective AYA programs require provider and system flexibility and program reflection. With flexibility comes a need for metrics to assess program effectiveness in the context of the program model. Centers treating AYAs with cancer could submit a subset of metrics (appropriate to their program and/or services) to maintain their status; persistence would require an entity with staying power committed to overseeing the metrics and the system. Substantial clinical and biological advances are anticipated over the next 20 years that will benefit all patients with cancer. In parallel, it is crucial to prioritize research regarding access to health care and cancer care delivery; only with equitable access to care for AYAs can they, too, benefit from these advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C Kirchhoff
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
- Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Austin R Waters
- Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Amy Chevrier
- Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Julie A Wolfson
- Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
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Johnston EE, Rosenberg AR. Palliative Care in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2024; 42:755-763. [PMID: 37862672 DOI: 10.1200/jco.23.00709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Palliative care (PC) aims to improve quality of life (QOL) for patients with serious illness and their families by recognizing and alleviating the physical, emotional, social, existential, and spiritual suffering of patients and their communities. Because adolescents and young adults (AYAs, age 15-39 years) with cancer commonly report distress across all these domains and because that distress translates to their QOL during and after their cancers, PC is particularly relevant for this population. Here, we review the evidence for PC among AYAs with cancer, including its rationale, gaps, opportunities, and implications for care delivery. For example, nearly 90% of AYAs with cancer report distressing symptoms during their treatment, those who survive report ongoing unmet psychosocial and physical health needs, and those who die from their cancers are highly likely to receive medically intense care that is discordant with their goals and values. AYA communication and decision making can be challenging because of ethical and developmental considerations regarding the patient's autonomy and competing priorities of patients and caregivers. PC interventions (including primary PC delivered by oncologists, routine PC subspecialty care, symptom tracking, advance care planning, and psychosocial programs promoting AYA resilience) are all associated with improved patient-centered outcomes. However, PC is inconsistently integrated into AYA oncology care, and access to PC programs is not equitable; marginalized groups continue to experience poorer outcomes. Ongoing and future research and clinical initiatives must continue to bridge these gaps. Improving the QOL of AYAs with cancer is a shared goal of the larger clinical oncology community, and including PC in AYA cancer care delivery can help attain that goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Johnston
- Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Abby R Rosenberg
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Mann K, Waters AR, Park ER, Perez GK, Vaca Lopez PL, Kaddas HK, Warner EL, Ray N, Tsukamoto T, Allen K, Haaland B, Fair DB, Lewis MA, Kirchhoff AC. HIAYA CHAT study protocol: a randomized controlled trial of a health insurance education intervention for newly diagnosed adolescent and young adult cancer patients. Trials 2022; 23:682. [PMID: 35986416 PMCID: PMC9388989 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06590-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients aged 18 to 39 years, health insurance literacy is crucial for an effective use of the health care system. AYAs often face high out-of-pocket costs or have unmet health care needs due to costs. Improving health insurance literacy could help AYAs obtain appropriate and affordable health care. This protocol illustrates a randomized controlled trial testing a virtual health insurance education intervention among AYA patients. METHODS This is a two-arm multisite randomized controlled trial. A total of 80 AYAs diagnosed with cancer in the Mountain West region will be allocated to either usual navigation care or tailored health insurance education intervention with a patient navigator that includes usual care. All participants will complete a baseline and follow-up survey 5 months apart. The primary outcomes are feasibility (number enrolled and number of sessions completed) and acceptability (5-point scale on survey measuring satisfaction of the intervention). The secondary outcomes are preliminary efficacy measured by the Health Insurance Literacy Measure and the COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity. DISCUSSION This trial makes a timely contribution to test the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual AYA-centered health insurance education program. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04448678. Registered on June 26, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karely Mann
- Cancer Control & Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Austin R. Waters
- Cancer Control & Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
- Department of Health Policy & Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Elyse R. Park
- Health Promotion & Resiliency Intervention Research Program, Mongan Institute, Boston, MA USA
- Departments of Psychiatry & Medicine, Mass General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Giselle K. Perez
- Health Promotion & Resiliency Intervention Research Program, Mongan Institute, Boston, MA USA
- Departments of Psychiatry & Medicine, Mass General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Perla L. Vaca Lopez
- Cancer Control & Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Heydon K. Kaddas
- Cancer Control & Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Echo L. Warner
- Cancer Control & Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
- College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Nicole Ray
- Cancer Control & Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Tomoko Tsukamoto
- Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Care Program, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Karlie Allen
- AYA Patient Navigation Program, Huntsman Cancer Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Ben Haaland
- Cancer Control & Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Douglas B. Fair
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
- Primary Children’s Hospital, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Mark A. Lewis
- Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Care Program, Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Anne C. Kirchhoff
- Cancer Control & Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT USA
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Telles CM. A scoping review of literature: What has been studied about adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer? Cancer Treat Res Commun 2021; 27:100316. [PMID: 33545568 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To map, organize and analyze the articles published in the last five years about AYAs with cancer. METHODS CAPES database and Google Scholar were searched to identify relevant studies from 2015 to February 2020. Eligible articles included empirical or theoretical research, quantitative and/or qualitative studies, targeted AYAs with cancer, addressed different topics related to AYAs such as unmet needs, hospital challenges, interventions or tools based on evidence, as well as political and socioeconomic aspects. RESULTS Of the 161 articles analyzed, 74 (46%) discussed the health system, including hospital dynamics, treatment and interventions during treatment; 63 (39.1%) discussed aspects or interventions that influence the quality of life and mental health of AYAs with cancer; 14 (8.7%) discussed issues related to sexual health; and 10 (6.2%) addressed social, economic and demographic problems of AYAs with cancer. Three types of purposes have been identified in the articles: 118 (73.3%) investigated variables in areas related to AYAs with cancer, aiming to increase the understanding of the phenomenon and the needs of AYAs; 18 (11.2%) intervened on the needs of AYAs with cancer through pilot studies or evidence-based interventions; and 22 (13.7%) aimed to evaluate an intervention previously performed or to evaluate an intervention based on evidence. CONCLUSION There is still much to be researched within the last two categories. In the last three years, these categories have been growing gradually and on a small scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila M Telles
- Graduating in Psychology - Senior year, Positivo University - Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil (Student); Teen Cancer America - Los Angeles, California, the United States of America (Intern Pro Cancer).
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Upshaw NC, Roche A, Gleditsch K, Connelly E, Wasilewski-Masker K, Brock KE. Palliative care considerations and practices for adolescents and young adults with cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68:e28781. [PMID: 33089627 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The definition of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in oncology varies with upper limits up to age 39. Younger AYAs, ages 12-24 years, are often cared for within pediatrics. In caring for AYAs with cancer, there are unique considerations that become even more important to recognize, acknowledge, and address in AYAs with life-threatening cancer receiving palliative care. This review highlights important factors such as psychosocial development, cultural considerations, and support structure, which should be considered when providing palliative care to AYAs with cancer during the various stages of care: introduction of palliative care; symptom management; advanced care planning (ACP); end-of-life (EOL) care; and bereavement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naadira C Upshaw
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Anna Roche
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Katrina Gleditsch
- Division of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atrium Health - Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Erin Connelly
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Karen Wasilewski-Masker
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Katharine E Brock
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.,Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,Division of Pediatric Palliative Care, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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Ou JY, Hanson HA, Ramsay JM, Leiser CL, Zhang Y, VanDerslice JA, Pope CA, Kirchhoff AC. Fine Particulate Matter and Respiratory Healthcare Encounters among Survivors of Childhood Cancers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16061081. [PMID: 30917578 PMCID: PMC6466161 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16061081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Some chemotherapies that treat childhood cancers have pulmonary-toxic properties that increase risk for adverse respiratory-health outcomes. PM2.5 causes similar outcomes but its effect among pulmonary compromised cancer survivors is unknown. This case-crossover study identified the PM2.5-associated odds for primary-respiratory hospitalizations and emergency department visits among childhood cancer survivors in Utah. We compared risk among chemotherapy-treated survivors to a cancer-free sample. We calculated 3-day-average PM2.5 by ZIP code and county for event and control days. Conditional logistic regression estimated odds ratios. Models were stratified by cause of admission (infection, respiratory disease, asthma), previous chemotherapy, National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), and other variables. Results are presented per 10 µg/m³ of PM2.5. 90% of events occurred at 3-day PM2.5 averages <35.4 µg/m³, the NAAQS 24-h standard. For survivors, PM2.5 was associated with respiratory hospitalizations (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.13⁻3.00) and hospitalizations from respiratory infection (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.06⁻4.14). Among chemotherapy-treated survivors, the PM2.5-associated odds of respiratory hospitalization (OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.14⁻3.61) were significantly higher than the cancer-free sample (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.57⁻1.25). This is the first study to report significant associations between PM2.5 and respiratory healthcare encounters in childhood cancer survivors. Chemotherapy-treated survivors displayed the highest odds of hospitalization due to PM2.5 exposure and their risk is significantly higher than a cancer-free sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Y Ou
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Heidi A Hanson
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Joemy M Ramsay
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| | - Claire L Leiser
- Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - James A VanDerslice
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Division of Public Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
| | - C Arden Pope
- Department of Economics, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA.
| | - Anne C Kirchhoff
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
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