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Shen, Jia Hao (Nathan)

University of British Columbia

Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related mortality among adolescents and young adults (AYAs), who face significant challenges in healthcare systems primarily designed for pediatric or older adult populations. In many contexts, cancer care trajectories and access to services for AYAs are heavily influenced by age-based criteria. While it's recognized that AYAs have distinct biological, developmental, and psychosocial needs, many studies overlook differences within this group, specifically how the timing of a cancer diagnosis impacts the types of disruptions, long-term life course trajectories, and healthcare needs of AYAs. This research examines and compares AYA cancer survivors diagnosed as children/early adolescents with those diagnosed as late adolescents/young adults to provide insights into their diverse healthcare experiences. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine AYA cancer survivors from British Columbia, Canada – three who began treatment in pediatric care and six in adult care. The findings reveal that the timing of diagnosis significantly shapes distinct healthcare trajectories and challenges, a reality often overlooked in current population-based healthcare models and AYA cancer care research. All participants faced substantial barriers, including diagnosis delays due to age-related misconceptions, lack of age-appropriate support during treatment, and loss of psychosocial support post-treatment. However, experiences diverged markedly based on age at diagnosis. Those diagnosed before 16 faced integrating cancer into their developmental trajectory, with comprehensive pediatric care diminishing as they aged out of the system. Conversely, those diagnosed after 16 experienced acute disruptions to established independence, navigating adult care settings lacking age-appropriate support and post-treatment care. The findings suggest that addressing AYAs' specific psychosocial and developmental needs and ensuring continuous, coordinated care can significantly improve their long-term outcomes and quality of life. This research extends current knowledge about healthcare frameworks by offering clearer insights into AYA oncology care that transcend conventional age-based boundaries. It advocates for systemic changes to create a healthcare environment where surviving cancer also means thriving in life. By examining these nuanced experiences, this study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of AYA cancer survivorship and highlights the need for tailored, age-specific approaches in oncology care.

Text

2024-08-27

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/89054

Sociology

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/