Devon Choltus, MPH; Erica Fortune, PhD
Cancer Support Community
Background: An estimated 84,000 adolescents and young adults (YAs; aged 15-39 years) in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in 2024, and approximately 86% are expected to survive for 5 years after diagnosis.1 These statistics demonstrate a critical need to provide psychosocial education and support for YA survivors.
Objective: Cancer Support Community conducted a program pilot study to evaluate the efficacy, relevancy, and impact of the Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment for YAs (CTYA) program, which aims to equip YA survivors with the information, resources, and support needed to navigate the transition from active treatment to posttreatment survivorship.
Methods: Three pilot sites were identified to ensure the representation of various geographic locations and insights from diverse provider and YA (aged 18-39 years) survivor populations. Pilot sites were responsible for recruiting >6 YA survivors within 3 years of active treatment completion. Recruitment strategies were site-specific and tailored to meet the needs of each site’s unique member base. Program efficacy, perceived benefit, relevancy, and the impact on participants’ clinical health outcomes were measured through surveys.
Participants completed pre- and postassessment surveys and short surveys after each of the 4 sessions. Program facilitators completed short surveys after each session and a postimplementation survey. The Patient- Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) self-efficacy2 and coping self-efficacy (CSE)3 validated scales were used to measure the change in participants’ self-efficacy for managing emotions and social interactions, and problem-focused coping. Net promotor scores (NPS) were captured for facilitators and participants to measure the likelihood of recommending the program to others.
Results: Eighteen YA survivors of diverse sociodemographic backgrounds and clinical histories were enrolled in the CTYA program. In the participant postassessment, 100% reported that they felt more connected to other YA survivors, 94% felt more confident that they could make healthy changes in their lifestyle, 94% were more hopeful about their future, and 89% were more confident in their ability to advocate for their rights and needs within the healthcare system.
Participants experienced statistically significant increases in problem-focused coping, CSE, and self-efficacy related to managing chronic conditions, specifically those related to social interactions and managing emotions. All facilitators reported that the program builds connections among participants, and 95% of participants and 100% of facilitators agreed that the program was beneficial and relevant to the YA survivor experience. Participant and facilitator NPS ranges fell in the ‘Great’ and ‘Excellent’ ranges, respectively.
Conclusion: The success of the CTYA program pilot run underscores the need to increase access to opportunities for YA survivors to participate in psychosocial, educational, and support programs as they navigate the transition from active treatment to posttreatment survivorship. Insights from the pilot study of the CTYA program can be used to guide future implementation of the program, as well as the development and dissemination of additional educational and support services developed for YA cancer survivors.
Disclosures: The Cancer Transitions for Young Adults program was developed by the Cancer Support Community and made possible by support from Merck.
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