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31-01-2022 | Insomnia

Experiences of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors: Adam Yan, Kaitlyn Howden, Alyson L. Mahar, Ian Scott, Camille Glidden, Julie Deleemans, Karine Chalifour, Geoff Eaton, Abha Gupta, James M. Bolton, Sheila N. Garland, Sapna Oberoi

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 2/2023

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of AYAs aged 18–49 with cancer in Canada between January and February 2021. Data from survivors, defined as AYAs more than one year off cancer treatment, were analysed. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with psychological distress, loneliness and insomnia.

Results

The analysis included 384 survivors. Moderate-to-severe psychological distress was reported by 257 (68.9%) survivors and was associated with an income ≥ $60,000 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.15, 95% CI 1.11–4.17) and the presence of a pre-existing chronic physical health condition (AOR 2.05, 95% CI 1.18–3.56). Loneliness was reported by 204 (54.0%) survivors and was associated with being unemployed (AOR 2.26 95%CI 1.18–4.31), pandemic causing finances to be worse (AOR 1.82, 95%CI 1.08–3.06) and the presence of a pre-pandemic mental health condition (AOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.03–3.42). Clinical insomnia was reported by 74 (19.5%) survivors and was associated with employment status as a student (AOR 3.00, 95% CI 1.08–8.29) or unemployed (AOR 3.97, 95% CI 1.46–10.83), earning $60,000 or more in the year 2020 (AOR 4.36, 95% CI 1.43–13.32), having haematologic cancer (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.05–4.70) and being single (AOR 2.52, 95% CI 1.08–5.91). Pandemic negatively affected employment, finances, physical activity, cancer care and substance use for 73.9%, 66.5%, 32.5%, 21.8% and 19.2% of survivors, respectively. Worries about finances, contracting COVID-19, cancer treatment increasing the risk of COVID-19 infection, and having poor health outcomes from contracting COVID-19 were reported by 46.0%, 45.6%, 55.0% and 47.3% of survivors, respectively.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on AYA cancer survivors, and these individuals report high levels of psychological distress, insomnia and loneliness.

Implications for Cancer Survivors.

Cancer survivors are at risk for worsening mental and physical health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted interventions and support programs are urgently needed to support the mental health of AYA cancer survivors and optimize their health outcomes.

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Title: Experiences of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Adam Yan
Kaitlyn Howden
Alyson L. Mahar
Ian Scott
Camille Glidden
Julie Deleemans
Karine Chalifour
Geoff Eaton
Abha Gupta
James M. Bolton
Sheila N. Garland
Sapna Oberoi
Publication date: 31-01-2022
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Insomnia
COVID-19
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 2/2023
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-021-01158-9

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