Everyday life challenges among adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Professor Ayo Wahlberg has contributed to the journal Psycho-Oncology with the article ‘Everyday life challenges among adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an in‐depth qualitative study’.

The article co-written with Liv Andrés‐Jensen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hanne Baekgaard Larsen, Copenhagen University Hospital and UCPH, Christoffer Johansen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Thomas Leth Frandsen, Copenhagen University Hospital, and Kjeld Schmiegelow, Copenhagen University Hospital and UCPH.

The article is based on a study among adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that represent a distinct and vulnerable group. Through semi-structured interviews, the study aimed to explore how the survivors experienced everyday life after cancer while adjusting to the potential impact of prior disease and treatment.

The article concludes that the adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood ALL adapt well to their new life situations, but many experience ongoing cancer‐related disruptions and experience not being fully understood. The authors suggest exploration and verbalisation of these issues alongside somatic follow‐up around the age of 16‐18 years to support the survivors during their transition into adulthood.

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