Introduction:
Increasing data are available relating to the physical, psychological and social impact a diagnosis of cancer has during AYA years. However, much less is known about the impact in long-term survivors. The purpose of this study was to describe the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and fatigue of Australian AYA cancer survivors.
Method:
A cross sectional survey of 15-25 year old's at time of diagnosis, who are 2-7 years post treatment completion was conducted at a single institution (ONTrac at PeterMac). Participants completed the questionnaires online using a unique study code via REDCap. Validated questionnaires assessed fatigue (FACIT-F) and HRQoL (AQoL-6D and SF-36v2). Unpaired t-tests were performed to compare AYA survivor results to normative data along with comparing means between those who complete the aerobic component of the physical activity (PA) guidelines (>149mins per week) vs those not meeting PA guidelines.
Results:
90 individuals completed the survey (26% response rate), mean age at survey completion was 25.4 years and the median time post treatment was 61 months. When compared to aged matched health population data, AYA cancer survivors reported increased fatigue (t[df=596]=-4.12, p<.0001) and reduced HRQoL (t[df=533]=9.18, p<.0001). The SF-36 identified differences in HRQoL on the physical scale (t[df=581]=-3.99, p<.0001) but not on the mental health scale (t[df=581]=-1.4, p=0.28). AYA who met the aerobic component of the PA guidelines (n=48) had better HRQoL (t[df=88]=12.38, p<.001) and less fatigue (t[df=88]=3.42, p<.0001) than those who were not meeting PA guidelines (n=42).
Conclusions:
AYA cancer survivors in an Australian environment experience ongoing fatigue with reduced HRQoL compared to population data. AYA cancer survivors who undertake regular PA (>149mins per week) have improved physical and mental functioning and less fatigue than those who are not physically active. Future research should investigate interventions to address these issues in the AYA cancer population.