Lifestyle behavior interventions delivered using technology in childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: A systematic review

Abstract

Childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors demonstrate increased cardio-metabolic risk factors, which are amenable to lifestyle changes. The use of technology to impact lifestyle change expands previously limited intervention access, yet little is known about its use. We summarized lifestyle interventions for survivors delivered using technology, finding six studies, primarily targeting physical activity. Study samples were small and durations ranged from 5 to 16 weeks and outcomes modest. Participants were older, white, survivors of leukemia or brain tumors, and the majority received Web-based interventions. Study quality was moderate. Few technology-based interventions have been developed, suggesting an area of opportunity for survivors.

Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship Educational Programming: A Qualitative Evaluation

“…The roles of advocacy groups include bringing individuals interested in change together and providing coordinated education and support services as well as policy analysis and response. Increasingly, AYA cancer advocacy groups deliver the bulk of their services through social media [21]. Much of the focus of the national AYA advocacy groups is to bring researchers together with survivors to support increased recognition of the unique needs of this population including developing specialist facilities for treatment and survivorship, addressing concerns for delayed diagnosis, and seeking to improve access and quality of care.…”

“…A consistent theme among the cancer advocates was their role in the community in sharing and distributing educational resources and programming both via social media and in print and at meetings [21,22]. Several of the cancer advocates participated in the 2 AYA annual summits held during the project and used the venue to both distribute their own information and gather other resources for sharing with their constituencies.…”

“…Among the most powerful elements in programs like ACCESS AYA and the Seton Cancer Survivor Center as well as among the advocacy groups are the creation and support for shared communication among of AYA survivors [21,22]. The online Facebook and in-person support community were primarily a creation of the Seton Cancer Survivor Center, but they also reflect the increased emphasis on survivor education and communication from the ACCESS AYA grant efforts.…”

“…To do so will require ongoing research in understanding AYA survivors as a highly heterogeneous population that requires management of cancer and treatment late effects including fertility, body image, and cognitive and most particularly psychosocial effects and care needs. These areas of research have been identified and expanded upon in the increasing body of knowledge regarding AYA cancer care and survivorship [21,25,26]. As part of this process, policy and programmatic improvements are needed to facilitate transition to AYA survivors into community and off treatment care through the provision of care plans and age-appropriate information and support service resources [26].…”

Developing a Web-Based Weight Management Program for Childhood Cancer Survivors: Rationale and Methods

“…Few interventions are designed to promote lifestyle modifications in childhood cancer survivors to reduce obesity and CVD risk [9]. To our knowledge, none have focused on initiating interventions soon after the survivors complete intensive cancer treatment to prevent the early onset of obesity and CVD morbidities.…”