Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to assess whether current cancer follow-up care practices meet the needs of young adult cancer survivors in Canada. This qualitative study used a constructivist grounded theory framework to analyze telephone interviews with cancer survivors from across Canada diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 39 years. The focus was specifically on cancer follow-up care (cfc). Interviews were conducted with 55 participants, and 53 interviews were used for the analysis. The overall theme that emerged from the data was the lack of age-specific cfc. Some of the subthemes that emerged were the absence or inadequacy of fertility and infertility treatment options; of psychological services such as family, couples, and sexuality counseling; of social supports such as assistance with entry or re-entry into the education system or workplace; of access to supplemental health insurance; and of survivorship care plans. Based on the data resulting from the interviews, we developed a conceptual model of young-adult cfc incorporating the major themes and subthemes that emerged from our study. The proposed model aims to ensure a more age-appropriate and comprehensive approach to cfc for this group of cancer patients. Current Canadian cfc practices are inadequate and do not provide comprehensive care for young adult cancer survivors in Canada. The conceptual model presented here aims to ensure a more comprehensive approach to cfc that meets the needs of this unique cancer population and reduces further possible physical, psychological, or social cancer sequelae.
Highlights
In Canada, cancer is the major cause of early death among young adult women and the third-ranking cause of death among young men between the ages of 20 and 441
We focus exclusively on the survivorship phase—and on the cancer follow-up care experiences of young adult cancer survivors in Canada
We aimed to interview a diverse sample in a homogeneous population using age, location, and sex as prescreening questions
Summary
In Canada, cancer is the major cause of early death among young adult women and the third-ranking cause of death among young men between the ages of 20 and 441. From the limited understanding available to date, it is apparent that young adults diagnosed with cancer are presented with challenges of fertility, sexuality, education, work, and relationships at a time when their peers are progressing along the road to independence, productive careers, and families4–8,a. The cancer journey has some distinct points along the way, as outlined by Cancer Care Ontario[9]; for patients, the distinctions are often less clear. The most important points in the cancer journey from the patient’s perspective are acute care (including diagnosis) and follow-up care[5]. We focus exclusively on the survivorship phase—and on the cancer follow-up care (cfc) experiences of young adult cancer survivors in Canada
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