How Childhood Cancer Affects Adult Disability Rates

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Survivors of childhood cancer often require community and/or parental support as adults, according to a recent Swedish study.

The need was most notable in survivors of CNS tumors, benign or malignant growths that place pressure against the spinal cord. The findings pointed to the necessity for safer treatment protocols, as well as improved prevention and rehabilitation measures.

The study followed 2,503 children whose cancer was diagnosed before their 16th birthday. Findings were compared with information from 1.91 million Swedish residents.

“Disability” in this case was determined by:
1.    whether or not the person received a sickness pension or handicap allowance
2.    if personal assistance was needed
3.    their family situation

In the study, 7.6 percent of survivors received a handicap allowance for permanent disability compared with only 0.6 percent of the general population. Brain tumors, other solid tumors, and leukemias and lymphomas led the list of cancers most likely to lead to permanent disability.

Children diagnosed at a younger age were more likely to have at least one of the factors for disability than those diagnosed as teens.

For further information: “Disability in Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Swedish National Cohort Study,” by Andrs Hjern, Frank Lindblad and Krister K. Boman, Journal of Clinical Oncology, vol. 25, no. 33.