Cancer Med. 2025 May;14(9):e70924. doi: 10.1002/cam4.70924.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers (CAYA) experience lifelong health risks and accelerated aging. We examined routine health care (no routine checkup in the past year) among a nationally representative sample of CAYA survivors at different life stages.
METHODS: We pooled data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS; 2012, 2014, 2016-2019). CAYA survivors (ages 0-39 at cancer diagnosis) were young adults (18-39 years), middle-aged (40-64 years), or older adults (≥ 65 years) at the time of the survey. We estimated the prevalence of: (1) not receiving routine health care and (2) not having a personal doctor, overall and by age at survey. We used multivariable Poisson regression to identify factors associated with these outcomes.
RESULTS: We identified 4284 CAYA survivors: 884 young adults, 2201 middle-aged, and 1199 older adults. More young adults were uninsured and unable to afford care, compared to other age groups. A higher proportion of young adults did not receive routine health care (35.9%, 95% CI 30.3-41.9) or have a personal doctor (25.6%, 95% CI 20.5-31.4), compared to middle-aged or older CAYA survivors (p < 0.01). In multivariable models, being a young adult was strongly associated with (1) not receiving routine health care (aPR 1.82, 95% CI 1.24-2.67) and (2) not having a personal doctor (aPR 3.14, 95% CI 1.84-5.35).
CONCLUSIONS: Younger CAYA survivors experience a triple threat of chronic conditions, modifiable risks, and disconnection from routine health care.
IMPACT: Early interventions to facilitate care transitions are needed.
PMID:40331733 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.70924
