Factors influencing long-term follow-up clinic attendance among survivors of childhood cancer

Abstract

Introduction-Attendance at long-term follow-up clinic is necessary for survivors of childhood cancer to facilitate education about cancer-related health risks, early detection of treatment-related morbidity, and implementation of health-promoting interventions. Despite the need for continued care, barriers to clinic attendance exist. The purpose of this prospective study was to identify the demographic, medical, and logistic factors impacting clinic attendance and long-term follow-up care among survivors of childhood cancer.

The perceived impact of cancer on quality of life for post-treatment survivors of childhood cancer

“…Combined with other factors that preclude childhood survivors from accessing or utilizing follow-up care (e.g., geographic mobility, belief that they do not need follow-up care) [50,51], many survivors who may be in need do not benefit from biomedical and psychopharmacological interventions. Indeed, evidence suggests that many long-term survivors of childhood cancer do not receive adequate or appropriate long-term follow-up care [52][53][54]. In contrast, communitybased and online services offering educational support, vocational rehabilitation, employment services and peer support are more easily accessible and certainly less costly to the survivor and to society, at large.…”

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Adolescents and Young Adults: Patient Characteristics, Outcomes and Review of the Literature

“…The impact of the rising cost of cancer care and cancer drug prices has been noted for cancer patients in general [60], and this important aspect of cancer health care is most importantly noted among the AYA patient subgroup, especially as they transition from pediatric to adult care and may suffer gaps in insurance coverage [61]. In a study performed to evaluate the factors involved with long-term follow-up in the clinic for childhood cancer survivors, a recent study found that 15% of patients did not attend their follow-up appointments, with multiple reasons cited, including among other items lack of patient insurance [62]. This problem is not restricted to CML AYA patients.…”

Exploring Cancer Worry in Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancers

“…However, it is known that many survivors do not successfully transition to LTFU, or drop out of follow-up overtime. 12,13 The authors' team previously identified psychological factors that can impact LTFU participation. 14,15 Some survivors reported that having cancer worry motivated them to attend LTFU, while conversely others indicated that such worry made them reluctant to seek care.…”