Knowledge of Late Effects Risks and Healthcare Responsibility in Adolescents and Young Adults Treated for Childhood Cancer

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to examine the level and predictors of knowledge of late effects risks from childhood cancer treatment in adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors. Methods Seventy-three AYAs, aged 14-21, completed measures of knowledge of late effect risks, executive functioning, and responsibility for health self-management. Sixty-seven parents of these AYA survivors (91.7%) also participated. Results Survivors demonstrated poor knowledge of their unique risks for treatment-related late effects, with a mean accurate knowledge score of 54.29% (SD=24.19%). The number of late effects for which survivors were at risk was negatively correlated with risk knowledge (r=-.34, p