Psychological distress in long-term survivors of adult-onset cancer: results from a national survey.
BACKGROUND
As advances in cancer screening and treatment increase the number of long-term cancer survivors, it is important to understand the long-term psychological sequelae of the cancer experience.


METHODS
The 4636 respondents who identified themselves as survivors of adult-onset cancer of 5 years or more and 122 220 respondents who were never diagnosed as having cancer were identified in the 2002 to 2006 National Health Interview Survey. The primary outcome in this population-based study was serious psychological distress (SPD) defined as a K6 scale (a validated screening tool for mental illness) score of 13 or more.


RESULTS
Among survivors, the median age at diagnosis was 50 years, the age at interview was 66 years, and the time since diagnosis was 12 years. The prevalence of SPD was significantly higher among long-term cancer survivors than among respondents who were never diagnosed as having cancer (5.6% vs 3.0%; P < .001). After adjustment for clinical and sociodemographic variables (age, sex, race, relationship status, educational attainment, insurance status, comorbidities, smoking history, and ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living), survivors remained significantly more likely to experience SPD (adjusted odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-1.7). After adjustment for other clinical and sociodemographic variables, long-term survivors who were younger, were unmarried, had less than a high school education, were uninsured, had more comorbidities, or had difficulty performing instrumental activities of daily living were more likely to experience SPD.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term survivors of adult-onset cancer are at increased risk for psychological distress. This study identifies several clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with SPD that may help target high-risk survivors for psychological screening and support.
Hoffman
Karen E
KE
Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. khoffman1@partners.org
McCarthy
Ellen P
EP
Recklitis
Christopher J
CJ
Ng
Andrea K
AK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009309:National Center for Health Statistics, U.S.; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology