Connections After Cancer: Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors' Perspectives on Forming New Friendships After Cancer

Objective: The psychological and social challenges of an adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer diagnosis often transcend physical health, impacting one's social network during a time when peer connections may be most crucial for support. The current study examines adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors' perspectives on how cancer impacts their thoughts and behaviors toward forming new peer relationships.

Methods: Thirty-five YA survivors (Mean age = 33 ± 5.67 years) diagnosed with cancer between 18 and 39 years participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Interviews were coded and analyzed to identify major themes.

Results: When pursuing friendships with non-cancer peers, survivors mentioned discomfort in disclosing, connection through mutual hardship, and revised outlooks on friendship. While befriending new non-cancer peers offered opportunities to be surrounded by positive people, seeking out these friendships was complicated by a desire to find people who understood hardship and could respond well to their cancer status. When forming relationships with cancer peers, AYAs emphasized the shared cancer experience, wariness of negative exposures, and consideration of similarity in cancer factors. They sought shared understanding and validation from cancer peers but were also cautious about exposure to reminders of illness and mindful that certain dissimilarities could hinder the establishment of meaningful connections.

Conclusions: Findings provide insight into the complex ways that cancer shapes AYA survivors' approach to forming friendships post-diagnosis, presenting guidance on tailored support interventions and resources that can aid in fostering healthy peer relationships and enhance well-being among AYA survivors.