Narrative Review of the Educational,Vocational,and Financial Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: Recommendations for Support and Research
Restricted accessReview articleFirst published online April, 2018
Narrative Review of the Educational,Vocational,and Financial Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: Recommendations for Support and Research
Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer have unique needs around education and vocation during and after treatment. This narrative review series aims at documenting the unique needs of AYAs from the current literature and at providing recommendations to inform an update of the Australian National Service Delivery Framework for AYAs with Cancer. AYAs with cancer may experience impairments to cognitive, physical, and psychological functioning and health, which can adversely affect their academic grades, peer relationships, and likelihood of entering the workforce. Treatment expenses and time off work can stifle AYAs' financial independence from their parents. The combined effect of disrupted education, vocation, and financial dependence can reduce AYAs' sense of identity. Although support is available in some countries, support efficacy is yet to be clearly established. Continued research is required to deliver successful education and work reintegration programs that build the confidence of AYAs with cancer to achieve their best. Educational and vocational support, as well as financial advice, may improve AYAs' financial security and quality of life during survivorship.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AdlerNE. Reaching for a healthier life: facts on socioeconomic status and health in the US. Chicago: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Socioeconomic Status and Health; 2007.
2.
PiniS, GardnerP, Hugh-JonesS. The impact of a cancer diagnosis on the education engagement of teenagers-patient and staff perspective. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2013; 17(3):317–23.
3.
PiniS, Hugh-JonesS, GardnerPH. What effect does a cancer diagnosis have on the educational engagement and school life of teenagers? A systematic review. Psychooncology. 2012; 21(7):685–94.
4.
ZebrackB, SantacroceSJ, PattersonP, GubinA. Adolescents and young adults with cancer: a biopsychosocial approach. In: AbramsAN, MurielAC, WienerL (Eds). Pediatric psychosocial oncology: textbook for multidisciplinary care. Cham, Switzerland: Springer; 2016; pp. 199–217.
5.
PiniS, GardnerP, Hugh-JonesS. How teenagers continue school after a diagnosis of cancer: experiences of young people and recommendations for practice. Future Oncol. 2016; 12(24):2785–800.
6.
PrasadPK, HardyKK, ZhangN, et al.Psychosocial and neurocognitive outcomes in adult survivors of adolescent and early young adult cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. J Clin Oncol. 2015; 33(23):2545–52.
7.
CohnRJ, GoodenoughB, ForemanT, SunesonJ. Hidden financial costs in treatment for childhood cancer: an Australian study of lifestyle implications for families absorbing out-of-pocket expenses. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2003; 25(11):854–63.
8.
GuyGP, YabroffKR, EkwuemeDU, et al.Estimating the health and economic burden of cancer among those diagnosed as adolescents and young adults. Health Aff (Millwood). 2014; 33(6):1024–31.
9.
StrauserDR, WongAW, O'SullivanD, WagnerS. Developmental work personality among young adult CNS cancer survivors: an exploratory study. Aust J Rehabil Couns. 2013; 19(1):39–45.
10.
WarnerEL, KentEE, TrevinoKM, et al.Social well-being among adolescents and young adults with cancer: a systematic review. Cancer. 2016; 122(7):1029–37.
11.
DonnanB. What about school …? Educational pathways to a successful future for children and adolescents with cancer. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2009; 5(2 Suppl):A212.
12.
GreenBN, JohnsonCD, AdamsA. Writing narrative literature reviews for peer-reviewed journals: secrets of the trade. J Chiropr Med. 2006; 5(3):101–17.
13.
PopayJ, RobertsH, SowdenA, et al.Guidance on the conduct of narrative synthesis in systematic reviews. A product from the ESRC methods programme version. Lancaster, UK: Narrative Synthesis in Systematic Reviews; 2006; p.1.
14.
GeigerAM, CastellinoSM. Delineating the age ranges used to define adolescents and young adults. J Clin Oncol. 2011; 29(16):e492–3.
15.
McLooneJK, WakefieldCE, ButowP, et al.Returning to school after adolescent cancer: a qualitative examination of australian survivors' and their families' perspectives. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2011; 1(2):87–94.
16.
ParsonsHM, HarlanLC, LynchCF, et al.Impact of cancer on work and education among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol. 2012; 30(19):2393–400.
17.
PiniS. Education mentoring for teenagers and young adults with cancer. Br J Nurs. 2009; 18(21):1316–9.
18.
Department of Education and Child Development.. Oncology patient care plan. Adelaide, South Australia: Department of Education and Child Development; 2015.
19.
ShawSR, GlaserSE, OuimetT. Developing the medical liaison role in school settings. J Educ Psychol Consult. 2011; 21(2):106–17.
20.
StrauserDR, JonesA, ChiuC-Y, et al.Career development of young adult cancer survivors: a conceptual framework. J Vocat Rehabil. 2015; 42(2):167–76.
21.
DieluweitU, DebatinKM, GrabowD, et al.Educational and vocational achievement among long-term survivors of adolescent cancer in Germany. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2011; 56(3):432–8.
22.
GrinyerA. The biographical impact of teenage and adolescent cancer. Chronic Illn. 2007; 3(4):265–77.
23.
ParsonsHM, SchmidtS, HarlanLC, et al.Young and uninsured: insurance patterns of recently diagnosed adolescent and young adult cancer survivors in the AYA HOPE study. Cancer. 2014; 120(15):2352–60.
24.
BellizziKM, SmithA, SchmidtS, et al.Positive and negative psychosocial impact of being diagnosed with cancer as an adolescent or young adult. Cancer. 2012; 118(20):5155–62.
25.
SternM, KrivoyE, FosterRH, et al.Psychosocial functioning and career decision-making in Israeli adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010; 55(4):708–13.
26.
Adolescent and Young Adult Working Party, Under the Auspice of the Statewide Cancer Clinical Network. South Australian adolescent and young adult cancer care pathway. Adelaide, Australia: CanNET SA, a Cancer Australia initiative, funded by the Australian Government; 2010.
27.
PalmerS, ThomasD. Peter MacCallum cancer centre: onTrac@PeterMac, AYA Oncology Team. 2008. Accessed September10, 2017 from: http://www1.petermac.org/onTrac/index.asp
28.
WakefieldCE, McLooneJK, EvansNT, et al.It's more than dollars and cents: the impact of childhood cancer on parents' occupational and financial health. J Psychosoc Oncol. 2014; 32(5):602–21.
29.
KentEE, SenderLS, MorrisRA, et al.Multilevel socioeconomic effects on quality of life in adolescent and young adult survivors of leukemia and lymphoma. Qual Life Res. 2013; 22(6):1339–51.
30.
GhaderiS, EngelandA, MosterD, et al.Increased uptake of social security benefits among long-term survivors of cancer in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood: a Norwegian population-based cohort study. Br J Cancer. 2013; 108(7):1525–33.
31.
CohnR, MclooneJ, SignorelliC, WakefieldC. Childhood cancer survivors: what are their motivators and barriers to participating in long term follow-up care?. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2014; 10:88.
