Recruiting Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors for Patient-Reported Outcome Research: Experiences and Sample Characteristics of the SURVAYA Study

Carla Vlooswijk, Lonneke V van de Poll-Franse, Silvie H M Janssen, Esther Derksen, Milou J P Reuvers, Rhodé Bijlsma, Suzanne E J Kaal, Jan Martijn Kerst, Jacqueline M Tromp, Monique E M M Bos, Tom van der Hulle, Roy I Lalisang, Janine Nuver, Mathilde C M Kouwenhoven, Winette T A van der Graaf, Olga Husson*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Participation of Adolescents and Young Adults with cancer (AYAs: 18-39 years at time of diagnosis) in patient-reported outcome studies is warranted given the limited knowledge of (long-term) physical and psychosocial health outcomes. We examined the representativeness of AYAs participating in the study, to observe the impact of various invitation methods on response rates and reasons for non-participation.

METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional cohort study was performed among long-term (5-20 years) AYA cancer survivors. All participants were invited using various methods to fill in a questionnaire on their health outcomes, including enclosing a paper version of the questionnaire, and sending a reminder. Those who did not respond received a postcard in which they were asked to provide a reason for non-participation.

RESULTS: In total, 4.010 AYAs (response 36%) participated. Females, AYAs with a higher socio-economic status (SES), diagnosed more than 10 years ago, diagnosed with a central nervous system tumor, sarcoma, a lymphoid malignancy, stage III, or treated with systemic chemotherapy were more likely to participate. Including a paper questionnaire increased the response rate by 5% and sending a reminder by 13%. AYAs who did not participate were either not interested (47%) or did want to be reminded of their cancer (31%).

CONCLUSIONS: Study participation was significantly lower among specific subgroups of AYA cancer survivors. Higher response rates were achieved when a paper questionnaire was included, and reminders were sent. To increase representativeness of future AYA study samples, recruitment strategies could focus on integrating patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice and involving AYA patients to promote participation in research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5407-5425
Number of pages19
JournalCurrent Oncology
Volume29
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Jul 2022

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Cancer Survivors/psychology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms/psychology
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

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