Cancers, Vol. 16, Pages 1332: The Emotional Impact of a Cancer Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study of Adolescent and Young Adult Experience

Cancers, Vol. 16, Pages 1332: The Emotional Impact of a Cancer Diagnosis: A Qualitative Study of Adolescent and Young Adult Experience Cancers doi: 10.3390/cancers16071332 Authors: Luke Hughes Rachel M. Taylor Angharad E. Beckett Oana C. Lindner Adam Martin Joanne McCulloch Sue Morgan Louise Soanes Rizwana Uddin Dan P. Stark The biographical disruption that occurs in adolescents and young adults following a cancer diagnosis can affect various important psychosocial domains including relationships with family and friends, sexual development, vocational and educational trajectories, and physical and emotional wellbeing. While there is evidence of the physical impact of cancer during this period, less is known about the impact on emotional wellbeing and especially on the barriers for young people accessing help and support. We aimed to obtain a more in-depth understanding of young people’s experiences of their diagnosis, treatment, psychological impact, and range of resources they could or wanted to access for their mental health. We conducted an in-depth qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 43 young people who had developed cancer aged 16 to 39 years and were either within 6 months of diagnosis or 3–5 years after treatment had ended. Framework analysis identified three themes: the emotional impact of cancer (expressed through anxiety, anger, and fear of recurrence); personal barriers to support through avo...
Source: Cancers - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research