Active screening for detecting health problems among childhood cancer survivors
2025 Volume 62 Issue 1 Pages 1-5
Details
2025 Volume 62 Issue 1 Pages 1-5
Objective: This study aimed to establish a comprehensive evaluation system for health quality and education during long-term follow-up of childhood cancer survivors (CCS).
Participants: The participants were 1) aged ≥ 18 years upon obtaining consent, 2) aged ≥ 10 years after childhood cancer diagnosis and not receiving treatment for the current disease for ≥ 5 years, and 3) have a treatment summary.
Methods: Participants completed a pre-assessment questionnaire and underwent a half-day evaluations at the Preventive Medicine Center, at the hospital, and by a clinical psychologist. On the following day, the participants received a report and health education. Late effects were assessed using modified CTCAE v4.0.
Results: We compared the late effects of 58 participants (active screening group: A) who participated in the St. Luke’s AYA cohort study between February 2016 and September 2019 with those of 110 participants (regular follow-up group: R) who underwent health checkups and examinations at the discretion of their attending physician between December 2010 and December 2015.
The detection rate of grade ≥ 1 late complications was 93.1% in group A and 67.3% in group R. The detection frequency of organ-specific late complications was significantly higher in group A for respiratory function and ophthalmologic, dental, and cognitive function abnormalities (p<0.001). Notably, psychiatric complications were detected regardless of treatment intensity.
Conclusion: Late complications, such as pulmonary function, ophthalmologic, dental, cognitive function, and psychiatric abnormalities, are easily overlooked.
