Most respondents were survivors of hematologic malignancies (71%), white (91%), and working full-time (62%); 43% were married. Compared with age- and sex-adjusted national averages, only survivors of hematologic malignancies who received radiation were significantly less likely to be married (44 vs. 52%). Full-time employment among survivors was lower than national norms, except among survivors of hematologic malignancies who had not received radiation therapy. The rates of coverage of health insurance, especially public insurance, were higher in all diagnostic groups than in the general population. While difficulty obtaining health care was rarely reported, current unemployment and a lack of insurance were associated with difficulty in obtaining health care (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Subgroups of cancer survivors do experience long-term differences in functional outcomes that should be addressed early. Survivors who are unmarried, unemployed, and uninsured experience difficulty accessing health care needed to address long-term health concerns.

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.

No abstract