Psychosocial Follow-Up in Survivorship as a Standard of Care in Pediatric Oncology

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2015 Dec;62 Suppl 5(Suppl 5):S514-84. doi: 10.1002/pbc.25783.

Abstract

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) have a high risk of medical late effects following cancer therapy. Psychosocial late effects are less often recognized. Many CCS do not receive long-term follow-up (LTFU) care, and those who do are rarely screened for psychosocial late effects. An interdisciplinary team conducted a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies to assess social, educational, vocational, psychological, and behavioral outcomes along with factors related to receipt of LTFU care. We propose that psychosocial screening be considered a standard of care in long-term follow-up care and that education be provided to promote the use LTFU care starting early in the treatment trajectory.

Keywords: childhood cancer; long-term follow-up care; psychosocial; survivorship.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Medical Oncology / standards
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Pediatrics / standards
  • Psychology / standards*
  • Standard of Care / standards*
  • Survivors / psychology*