Publication type
Journal Article
Series Number
Authors
Publication date
July 15, 2025
Summary:
Background:
Globally, cancer incidence is rising fastest among young people. Existing literature on acute health shocks, including cancer diagnoses, focuses on older working-aged adults.
Methods:
Matched cohort study involving 401 young cancer survivors (aged 15–24) in the BRIGHTLIGHT study and 765 UK Household Longitudinal Study controls without cancer between 2013 and 2018. Participants were matched on sex, age, ethnicity, index of multiple deprivation (IMD) quintile, non-cancer health conditions, and follow-up duration. Regression models assessed economic, educational, social, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and mental health outcomes at 6(T1), 12–18(T2), and 24–36 months (T3) post-diagnosis.
Results:
Compared to matched controls, those with cancer were: less likely to be in employment, education, or training at T1 (OR = 2.03, p < 0.001) but not at T3 (OR = 0.96, p = 0.18), because transitioning from unemployment or economic inactivity into education was more common (24 % vs 3 % between T1 and T3); less likely to live in parental households at T1 (OR = 0.54, p < 0.001) and T3 (OR = 0.59, p < 0.001); and more likely to experience relationship breakdown (23 % vs 12 % between T1 and T3). Differences in mental health and HRQoL declined over time (mean difference compared to matched controls: T1: −0.07, p < 0.001; T2 and T3: −0.01 p ≥ 0.55). Economic outcomes, mental health and HRQoL utility scores were persistently worse among more severe cancer cases.
Conclusions:
Despite having initially poorer health and economic outcomes, cancer survivors in this cohort caught up with their peers within 3 years. Linked clinical data showed those with more severe diagnoses were affected most, indicating scope for improved psychosocial and economic support.
Published in
Social Science & Medicine
Volume
Volume: 376:118078
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118078
ISSN
2779536
Subjects
Notes
Open Access
Under a Creative Commons license
#588815