Self-management in children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer: State of the science

Abstract

Children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and their families are challenged to learn self-management strategies to cope with the medical, physical, and psychosocial aspects associated with cancer and cancer treatment. These complex behaviors include managing medications, problem-solving relief of symptoms, and engaging in health-promoting activities. This chapter reviews the literature related to self-management in children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and provides an overview of the state of the science in this area. Using the principles of precision health, the evidence for self-management provides specific direction for tailoring approaches to the individual, family, and environment. Findings from descriptive and intervention research offer recommendations for nursing practice that can support self-management behaviors in this population. Further research is needed in multiple domains to fill the gaps in knowledge for optimal self-management and precision health outcomes.