Impact of a cancer diagnosis on educational, employment, health-related quality of life, and social outcomes among young adults: A matched cohort study of 401 cancer survivors aged 15–24 in England

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.