title: Cancer-Related Distress in Young Adults Compared to Middle-Aged and Senior Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little is known about cancer-related distress during young adulthood. Results from the few studies that have directly assessed this age group have indicated that young adults (YAs) may be at greater risk of developing psychosocial difficulties due to their unique challenges of coping with cancer. This study's objective was to investigate cancer-related distress in YAs compared to older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective cross-sectional study compared the distress level of YAs (18-39 years old) with that of middle-aged (40-64 years old) and senior adults (65-90 years old) using the Distress Thermometer (DT) and associated Problem List (PL). Factors that may be associated with distress by age group were examined, including demographics, cancer type, and PL items endorsed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  YAs had higher cancer-related distress than senior adults but similar distress levels to middle-aged adults. Findings from distress comparisons across demographics, cancer types, and PL items endorsed suggest that YAs and middle-aged adults had similar distress patterns when compared to senior adults, who had the lowest DT scores. Multivariable analyses indicated age-related risk factors for high distress, including gynecologic cancers for YAs; divorced, single, or unemployed statuses for middle-aged adults; and being of Hispanic ethnicity for senior adults. Female gender and practical, emotional, and physical problems were associated with distress for all age groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a differential impact of cancer by age. It is important to screen for cancer-related distress, paying attention to risk factors by age to determine age-appropriate supportive care needs.
authors.affiliation: 1 Cancer Network, Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Mary Jo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Burgoyne
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bingen
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Medicine, Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Julianne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leuck
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Mahua
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Patient Care Services, Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Polly
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Raymond G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Distress Thermometer; distress; psychosocial; supportive care