The Effect of Pediatric Cancer on Identity in Young Adult Survivors: Results from Project REACH

Chevalier, Lydia; Zwemer, Eric; Casey, Richard; Recklitis, Christopher J.

doi:10.1089/jayao.2021.0071

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 23 publications

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“…Participants were CCSs (diagnosed at an age of <21 years) enrolled in Project REACH, a cohort study of locally followed cancer survivors. 5,[12][13][14][15][16] As previously reported, to enroll in Project REACH, participants were required to be ≥2 years from their cancer diagnosis, ≥1 year from completion of cancer therapy, and able to complete questionnaires and study procedures in English. CCSs were recruited for Project REACH at the time of a survivorship visit at one of two clinics serving CCSs; 601 participants enrolled in Project REACH and completed a baseline survey.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual health in adult survivors of childhood cancer: A Project REACH study

Chevalier,

McCormick,

Cooney

et al. 2024

Cancer

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BackgroundSexual dysfunction is a significant complication of treatment for many adult‐onset cancers. However, comparatively less is known about sexual dysfunction in adult childhood cancer survivors (CCSs). Research has been limited by the exclusion of specific cancers (e.g., central nervous system [CNS] tumors) and the lack of validated measures, which makes it difficult to understand the nature and prevalence of sexual dysfunction in CCSs.MethodsA total of 249 adult CCSs (aged 18–65 years) enrolled in Project REACH, a prospective cohort study, and completed measures of physical and mental health, including sexual dysfunction. Participants scoring ≤19 on the Female Sexual Function Index 6 or ≤21 on the International Index of Erectile Function 5 were classified as experiencing sexual dysfunction. Analyses examined the relationships between sexual dysfunction and demographic, disease, treatment, and health variables.ResultsA total of 78 participants (32%) experienced clinically significant sexual dysfunction. In univariate analysis, sexual dysfunction was significantly associated with CNS tumor diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 2.56) and surgery (OR, 1.96) as well as with health variables such as fatigue (OR, 3.00), poor sleep (OR, 2.84), pain (OR, 2.04), depression (OR, 2.64), poor physical health (OR, 2.45), and poor mental health (OR, 2.21). Adjusted analyses found that CNS tumor diagnosis (p = .001) and health variables (p = .025) contribute significantly to sexual dysfunction in CCSs.ConclusionsApproximately one third of adult CCSs report clinically significant sexual dysfunction, which underscores a significant screening and treatment need. However, because available measures were developed for survivors of adult cancers, research to create a sexual health measure specifically for adult CCSs is necessary to better identify the sexual health concerns of this vulnerable population.

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