Who Knows? Information Received, and Knowledge about, Cancer, Treatment and Late Effects in a National Cohort of Long-Term Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Background: Knowledge of medical history and late effects is central in modern survivorship management, especially for long-term childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer survivors’ (CAYACS) with long life expectancy rates and high risks of late effects. Identifying information and knowledge gaps is, therefore, important. As part of the population-based NOR-CAYACS study, we investigated the following: (1) written information received about their disease and treatment, and any information about late effects; (2) satisfaction with this information and associated factors; (3) knowledge about late effects and factors associated with low knowledge of specific late effects. Material and methods: A questionnaire-based survey (Nor-CAYACS) was mailed to 5361 CAYACS (childhood cancers, breast and colorectal cancer, acute lymphatic leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and malignant melanoma) identified by the Cancer Registry of Norway (CRN). Of these, 2018 answered questions about disease and late effects information and knowledge. Exposure variables were extracted from the questionnaire and CRN. Unfortunately, it was not possible to stratify by treatment in the analyses. We ran descriptive statistics for comparisons and logistic regressions to identify factors associated with outcomes of interest. Results: Overall, 50% to 60% of survivors reported not having received written information about their disease and treatment, or any information about late effects. There was a large variation in reported knowledge across 17 late effects. Lower levels of knowledge were associated with male sex, lower education and poorer health literacy in multivariable regression models. Conclusions: Knowledge of cancer history and risks of late effects is essential for effective self-management, yet significant information and knowledge gaps were reported in this population-based sample of long-term CAYACS. Systematic approaches to making (up-to-date) information available to long-term survivors are needed to ensure that information does not get lost in medical and life transitions.