Social outcomes of long-term survivors of adolescent cancer.

OBJECTIVES

The study investigates psychosexual and family outcomes among German long-term survivors of adolescent cancer.

METHODS

Survivors of cancer during adolescence (n = 820; age at onset of disease: M = 15.8 years, SD = 0.9, age at follow-up: M = 30.4, SD = 6.0 years) completed questionnaires on their family life and their psychosexual and autonomy development. Outcomes were compared to an age-matched sample (German Socio-Economic Panel, G-SOEP, n = 820, age: M = 30.4, SD = 6.7 years) from the general population and to a control group of adults without cancer (n = 1027, age: M = 31.5, SD = 7.0 years).

RESULTS

Compared to controls of the same sex, female survivors had achieved fewer developmental milestones in their psychosexual development such as having their first boyfriend, or reached these milestones later, and reported a significantly stronger desire for children. Male survivors were more likely to live with their parents when compared to same sex controls. Equivalent proportions of survivors and persons in the G-SOEP were living in a long-term relationship; however, survivors were less likely to have ever married or had children. At first marriage and at the birth of their first child, survivors were significantly older compared to the G-SOEP. About 14.5% of survivors reported cancer-related infertility.

CONCLUSIONS

Survivors of adolescent cancer experience some social late effects of the disease in adulthood, such as a delayed social development as well as substantial differences in their family life and living conditions compared to healthy peers.