Research for Survivors

Dr. Debra Friedman, Survivorship Program director

Health and employment in young adult survivors of childhood cancer

In a study of nearly 10,400 adult survivors of childhood cancer, more than 6 percent had at least one chronic condition and 28 percent had a severe or life-threatening health problem. The survivors were more than three times as likely as their siblings to have a chronic health condition, and women were at greater risk than men. Survivors of bone tumors, central nervous system tumors and Hodgkin lymphoma had the highest risk of a serious chronic condition. Childhood cancer survivors need lifelong follow-up focused on prevention, early detection and treatment of these health problems. The authors of this study include our Survivorship Program director, Dr. Debra Friedman.

In another study of the same adult survivors, 5.6 percent reported never having been employed compared with 1.2 percent of their siblings. Females and those younger than age 4 at the time of childhood cancer treatment were at greatest risk. Survivors of bone tumors, central nervous system and those treated with higher doses of radiation therapy to the brain had the highest risk. (Pang JWY et al. Pediatric Blood and Cancer. 2007 In Press)