Over 70,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs; age 15-39 years) are diagnosed with cancer every year in the United States, more than 8 times the number of younger patients. Survivors of AYA cancer are unique due to their life stage and lack of appropriate services for this population (e.g., fertility preservation, insurance coverage, and educational/vocational support). In contrast to young adult survivors of childhood cancer, little systematic research has been conducted among survivors of AYA cancer to understand their health-related outcomes. At diagnosis and during treatment, AYAs face delayed and limited access to appropriate care, lower clinical trial enrollment, greater treatment-related toxicity and morbidity, and inferior survival. Early post- treatment studies of AYA cancer survivors indicate numerous financial, social, and personal burdens associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, the long-term cancer survivorship experience among survivors of AYA cancer is largely unexplored. Cancer during young adulthood likely leads to loss or delay in achieving milestones of adulthood (e.g., full-time employment, financial health, marriage, having children) following cancer treatment. Additionally, young adult Hispanic cancer survivors are understudied, despite evidence that Hispanics experience significant differences in health-related outcomes. Project Milestones will address these research gaps by recruiting and surveying a population-based cohort (n=2,000, ~42% Hispanic) representing long-term (3-10 years post-diagnosis) survivors of the most prevalent cancers found in older AYAs diagnosed between ages 21-39.
Our specific aims are: (1) To assess risk and protective factors of the achievement of milestones of adulthood and to compare achievement of milestones between survivors of AYA cancer and non-cancer comparators; (2) To assess risk and protective factors of long-term well-being and health related quality of life (HRQOL); and, (3) To assess risk and protective factors of engagement in cancer-related follow-up care. For all outcomes, we will examine age, cancer type, and ethnic differences. Among Hispanic survivors, we will examine cultural factors associated with study outcomes. This population-based study will include prototypical AYA cancer cases ascertained through the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program Cancer Registry. Self-report surveys will assess milestones of adulthood, well-being, HRQOL, and cancer-related follow-up care. Multivariable regression analyses will identify protective and risk factors for milestones, HRQOL and cancer-related follow-up care. Comparative analyses will identify differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic AYA survivors and between AYA cases and non-cancer comparator participants (from the California Health Interview Survey). Results will inform the development of guidelines and programs supporting survivors of AYA cancer, including addressing and reducing health disparities affecting those of Hispanic ethnicity.

Public Health Relevance

Roughly 70,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs; between the ages of 15-39) are diagnosed with cancer every year, an incidence that is nearly 8 times greater than in childhood cancers. Preliminary research indicates that young cancer survivors suffer from considerable challenges due to their life stage. The goal of this study is to develop a population-based cohort (n=2,000) of young adult survivors (ages 21-39; ~42% Hispanic) of the most common types of cancers in this age group who are 3-10 years post-diagnosis. We will examine their health status, including comorbidities and late effects of their cancer treatments, achievement of adult milestones, and use of health care services. Findings will provide physicians and other health care providers with evidence to guide policies concerning young adult cancer survivorship care.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01CA237230-01
Application #
9712752
Study Section
Clinical Management of Patients in Community-based Settings Study Section (CMPC)
Program Officer
Shelburne, Nonniekaye F
Project Start
2019-07-01
Project End
2024-06-30
Budget Start
2019-07-01
Budget End
2020-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Southern California
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
072933393
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90089