"It Made Me the Person I Am Today ": Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Reflect on Their Experiences.

Purpose: As survival rates of childhood, adolescent, and young adult (YA) cancers improve, there is a growing population of YA cancer survivors who can provide insight into the lived experience of cancer. The goal of this study was to improve understanding of the cancer experience through interviews with YA-aged survivors. Methods: A convenience sample of survivors (age ≥18; remission ≥5 years) was recruited from an urban pediatric hospital. Participants responded to demographic questions, open-ended questions about cancer experience, and optional verbal interview. Responses to questions (written and verbal) were transcribed and coded using thematic analysis to identify common themes. Results: Participants were 18 cancer survivors (M age = 22.17 ± 3.96, 50% male, 33.3% Latino/Hispanic). The main themes reported were as follows: (1) importance of mind-set (reported by 94% of participants); (2) positive transformation (61%); (3) importance of support from medical team (61%); (4) importance of social support (56%); and (5) burden of cancer (44%). Conclusions: Themes of resilience and optimism were pervasive throughout responses. YA-aged survivors were both proponents of adapting a positive mind-set when undergoing treatment, and appeared to maintain this positive mind-set into survivorship by describing cancer as a transformative experience. Cognition, positive change, and social support, are all concepts that could be addressed through targeted screenings and interventions. Fostering a positive lens may help with overall adjustment and mood during treatment, and be protective for physical and mental health.

A pilot study of acute stress symptoms in parents and youth following diagnosis of type I diabetes.

The primary aims of this exploratory study were to determine the rate of occurrence of acute stress disorder (ASD) in children newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and their parents, to examine relationships with demographic and psychosocial factors, and to examine the relationships between ASD symptom clusters and early adherence behavior (clinic attendance). The sample consisted of 102 parents of children ages 0-17 years and 40 youth ages 11-17 who were evaluated within three days of diabetes diagnosis. Eighteen percent of parents and 17% of youth reported subthreshold symptoms of ASD. Acute stress symptoms and demographic variables predicted clinic attendance, with a differential pattern evident in the responses of youth and their parents. These findings reinforce the importance of screening symptoms of ASD in youth with newly diagnosed diabetes and their parents to assist in identifying families who may be in need of additional support.