Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on a large cohort of adult survivors of childhood cancer.
Kevin R KrullAaron McDonaldPamela GoodmanChristopher VukadinovichJames FordWendy M LeisenringEric J ChowLeslie L RobisonGregory T ArmstrongPublished in: Pediatric blood & cancer (2021)
Childhood cancersurvivors may be differentially impacted by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). From April to June of 2020, we examined psychosocial/health concerns in 4148 adult survivors and 571 siblings. Although more survivors reported concerns about getting sick (p = .002) and needing hospitalization (p = .003) in general, survivors and siblings were comparably concerned about being infected with and the consequences of COVID-19. Cranial radiation was associated with social isolation (relative risk [RR] = 1.3, CI = 1.1-1.7), and central nervous system (CNS) tumors were associated with unemployment due to COVID-19 (RR = 1.7, CI = 1.2-2.2). Some survivors appear more vulnerable and may require more support to meet health care and vocational needs during COVID-19, though siblings also perceive substantial risk.