How confident are young adult cancer survivors in managing their survivorship care? A report from the LIVESTRONG™ Survivorship Center of Excellence Network Journal Article


Authors: Casillas, J.; Syrjala, K. L.; Ganz, P. A.; Hammond, E.; Marcus, A. C.; Moss, K. M.; Crespi, C. M.; Lu, P.; McCabe, M. S.; Ford, J. S.; Jacobs, L. A.; Pucci, D.; Palmer, S. C.; Termuhlen, A. M.; Diller, L.; Campbell, M.; Jones, B.; Friedman, D. L.
Article Title: How confident are young adult cancer survivors in managing their survivorship care? A report from the LIVESTRONG™ Survivorship Center of Excellence Network
Abstract: Introduction: This study examined the association between sociodemographic, cancer treatment, and care delivery factors on young adult cancer survivors' confidence in managing their survivorship care. Methods: Survivors aged 18-39 years (n = 376) recruited from the LIVESTRONG™ Survivorship Center of Excellence Network sites completed a survey assessing self-reported receipt of survivorship care planning, expectations of their providers, and confidence in managing their survivorship care. Multivariate logistic regression identified characteristics of those reporting low confidence in managing their survivorship care. Results: Mean age was 28 years; mean interval from diagnosis was 9 ± 8 years. Seventy-one percent reported currently attending an oncology survivorship clinic. Regarding survivorship care planning, 33% did not have copies of their cancer-related medical records, 48% did not have a treatment summary, and 55% had not received a survivorship care plan. Seventy percent identified the oncologist as the most important health care provider for decisions regarding test and treatment decisions while 10% reported using a "shared-care model" involving both primary care providers and oncologists. Forty-one percent were classified as having low confidence in managing survivorship care. In multivariate analysis, low confidence was associated with non-white ethnicity and lack of a survivorship care plan (both p <0.05). Discussion/conclusions: Findings suggest that provision of survivorship care plans for young adult cancer survivors can be used to improve confidence in managing survivorship care, particularly for ethnic minorities. Implications for cancer survivors: Survivors should consider advocating for receipt of a survivorship care plan as it may facilitate confidence as a consumer of survivorship care. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
Keywords: young adult; neoplasm; delivery of health care; cancer survivors; survivorship care plan
Journal Title: Journal of Cancer Survivorship
Volume: 5
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1932-2259
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 2011-12-01
Start Page: 371
End Page: 381
Language: English
DOI: 10.1007/s11764-011-0199-1
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC3229469
PUBMED: 22042661
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 3 January 2012" - "Source: Scopus"
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. Jennifer S Ford
    63 Ford
  2. Mary McCabe
    108 McCabe