Background: Annually, over 70,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are diagnosed with cancer.1 The range of developmental stages and life experiences of AYAs (ages 15-39 years) with cancer is incredibly vast.2 Despite this, one common denominator consistently ranking among the top psychosocial issues impacting this population is social isolation.3 Zebrack4 notes that AYAs can miss out on things like “dating, leaving home and establishing independence, going to college, pursuing gainful employment, getting married, or having children.” In addition to feeling left behind by their peers, AYAs often feel isolated in the institutions where they are treated, as they are often surrounded either by small children in a pediatric setting or patients their grandparents’ age in the adult setting.5
At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), about 100 AYAs are diagnosed and treated for cancer annually. Approximately 70% are active-duty service members, and 30% are spouses or children of the service members. Spearheaded by the Ulman Foundation patient navigator, WRNMMC began its Young Adult Oncology Program in 2014. Since then, and in an effort to address social isolation, the navigator has facilitated bimonthly support groups and hosted quarterly social events for patients, survivors, and their guests.
Objectives: To date, there have been no studies specifically examining the young adult oncology military and beneficiary population and their experiences with social isolation and peer support. The aim of this study was to determine if patients and caregivers felt that support groups and social events helped them feel less alone and better able to cope with their cancers.
Methods: A mixed methods survey was sent to patients and caregivers who had attended at least 1 support group or social event. It included nominal scale multiple choice questions, ordinal, interval, and ratio scale questions, as well as open-ended free text questions. Of the 84 individuals who received the survey, 42 responded, including 39 patients and 3 caregivers. The author hypothesized that the support groups and social events would help to reduce feelings of social isolation.
Results: Of those who had attended a support group meeting, 92% attended at least 1 more, and of those who participated in a social outing, 79% attended at least 1 more. Respondents reported that attending the group meetings and/or social outings helped them meet other young adults with cancer and feel less alone (97% agreed), emotionally deal with the cancer (92% agreed), vent issues and concerns related to care (90% agreed), and learn about other programs they are entitled to (90% agreed). Nearly 70% of respondents reported that they attended because they wanted to meet other young adults with cancer.
Conclusion: The survey results support the hypothesis and indicate that support groups and social events helped attendees feel less alone and better able to cope with their cancers. AYA peer connection and support opportunities should be offered more widely within both the military and civilian treatment systems.
References
- National Cancer Institute. Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer. www.cancer.gov/types/aya. 2018.
- Arnett JJ. Conceptions of the transition to adulthood: perspectives from adolescence through midlife. Journal of Adult Development. 2001;8(2):133-143.
- Newby LW, Brown RT, Pawletko TM, et al. Social skills and psychological adjustment of child and adolescent cancer survivors. Psychooncology. 2000;9:113-126.
- Zebrack BJ. Psychological, social, and behavioral issues for young adults with cancer. Cancer. 2011;117(10 Suppl):2289-2294.
- National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance. Closing the Gap: Research and Care Imperatives for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer. (Publication No. 06-6067). www.cancer.gov/types/aya/research/ayao-august-2006.pdf. 2006.
