Factors affecting quality of life in Taiwanese survivors of childhood cancer

Abstract

Interventions and assessment of their efficacy are necessary to help survivors capitalize on their strengths, to decrease their individual risks and to promote resilience promote self-control.

Health-Related Quality of Life of Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Review of Qualitative Studies

“…Survivors were fearful of their cancer returning, 27,31 developing a secondary cancer, passing cancer to their children, infertility, 31 experiencing disability, and being unable to perform role expectations. 27 Survivors in Casillas et al's study experienced anxiety when attending long-term follow-up visits because they feared receiving news of cancer recurrence. 36 In a study by Cantrell and Conte, survivors expressed a desire to plan for and dream about their future, but prevailing feelings of uncertainty prevented them from doing so.…”

“…The majority of the studies included both males and females. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Three studies did not indicate the gender distribution, [35][36][37] and the remaining two studies reported the inclusion of either all females 38 or all males. 39 The age of participants included in the studies ranged from 13 to 38 years old at the time of interview.…”

“…39 The age of participants included in the studies ranged from 13 to 38 years old at the time of interview. Six studies reported the participants' time since diagnosis, 26,27,29,31,32,34 which ranged between 1 and 36 years, and one study 36 indicated only that participants were at least five years postdiagnosis. Most studies consisted of survivors of various cancer diagnoses, although two focused on only one specific cancer type (brain cancer or leukemia) 24,35 and one did not indicate the cancer type.…”

“…24,28 In studies with Taiwanese survivors of brain cancer, survivors noted difficulty in, and expressed chronic fear about, not being able to fulfill the expected social and cultural role of caring for their younger siblings. 26,27 Despite hardship on the family, many YASCC developed closer and stronger relationships with family members through the cancer experience. 28,29,32,36 Survivors reported receiving emotional and physical support from their parents who acted as facilitators to their care.…”

“…Most studies consisted of survivors of various cancer diagnoses, although two focused on only one specific cancer type (brain cancer or leukemia) 24,35 and one did not indicate the cancer type. 29 One study used a mixed (qualitative and quantitative) methods design, 27 although the quantitative results are not included in this review; the remaining studies used only qualitative methods. Methods to collect data primarily consisted of individual interviews and/or focus groups, although one study used Photovoice 33 and one study used a series of online sessions with the same group of participants.…”