Impacts of the Early COVID-19 Pandemic Among a National Sample of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors in the United States

Abstract

Purpose:

Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs) experience early-onset chronic conditions and disrupted psychosocial development. We report prevalence of disruptions in care delivery and social support during the early wave of the pandemic in a national sample of AYAs in the United States.

Materials and Methods:

We used data from the population-based National Health Interview Survey (NHIS; July–December 2020), which allows for nationally representative estimates, and included questions related to COVID-19. We identified 61 AYAs diagnosed with cancer between ages 15 and 39 years and not currently receiving cancer treatment and 244 age- and sex-matched controls. We compared the proportion of AYAs and controls reporting delayed care due to the pandemic, not getting needed care due to the pandemic, and changes in social and emotional support.

Results:

AYAs were predominantly non-Hispanic White (61.3%) and female (58.8%), with a median age at diagnosis of 28 years (interquartile range [IQR] 21–31 years). Fewer AYAs were employed (52.1% vs. 71.5%), and more lived in poverty (32.0% vs. 12.4%) and felt depressed daily (9.9% vs. 3.0%, all p < 0.05). The proportion of AYAs reporting delayed care (39.8% vs. 15.3%) and not getting needed care (31.7% vs. 10.4%) due to the pandemic was more than double that of controls (both p < 0.01). One in five AYAs experienced less social and emotional support compared to the prior year, although not significantly different from controls (21.6% vs. 12.4%, p = 0.10).

Conclusions:

The pandemic disrupted AYAs' care and exacerbated their psychosocial challenges. Providers and health systems should prioritize reconnecting AYAs to affordable and comprehensive care.