Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on a large cohort of adult survivors of childhood cancer

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 Nov;68(11):e29324. doi: 10.1002/pbc.29324. Epub 2021 Aug 31.

Abstract

Childhood cancersurvivors may be differentially impacted by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). From April to June of 2020, we examined psychosocial/health concerns in 4148 adult survivors and 571 siblings. Although more survivors reported concerns about getting sick (p = .002) and needing hospitalization (p = .003) in general, survivors and siblings were comparably concerned about being infected with and the consequences of COVID-19. Cranial radiation was associated with social isolation (relative risk [RR] = 1.3, CI = 1.1-1.7), and central nervous system (CNS) tumors were associated with unemployment due to COVID-19 (RR = 1.7, CI = 1.2-2.2). Some survivors appear more vulnerable and may require more support to meet health care and vocational needs during COVID-19, though siblings also perceive substantial risk.

Keywords: COVID-19; childhood cancer survivor; health concerns; psychosocial impact.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Cancer Survivors*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms* / psychology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Siblings
  • Social Isolation
  • Unemployment