Course of life of survivors of childhood cancer is related to quality of life in young adulthood

The aims of this study were to assess the following: (1) The impact of medical determinants on the course of life of survivors of childhood cancer and (2) the impact of the course of life on Quality of Life (QoL) in young adulthood. A total of 353 Dutch cancer survivors, aged 18-30, completed the RAND-36 Health Survey and the Course-of-Life questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Survivors of brain tumors and survivors having been treated with radiotherapy reported the achievement of significantly fewer milestones in the psychosexual and social domain than the other survivors. Survivors who achieved fewer milestones in the social domain scored worse on QoL. Health-care providers should help to minimize the harm for children who grow up with cancer by encouraging social and psychosexual development. Children should be encouraged to make friends and to participate in peer activities.