CURRENT LIFE-STYLE OF YOUNG-ADULTS TREATED FOR CANCER IN CHILDHOOD

The aim of this study was to look at the current lifestyle of young ad ult survivors of childhood cancer between the ages of 16 and 30 years to document their achievements and expose any psychosocial problems. S ixty six young adult survivors were contacted and asked if they and th eir siblings (16-30 years) would take part in a lifestyle study; 48 pa tients and 38 sibling controls were interviewed. This took the form of a structured lifestyle questionnaire, a self esteem questionnaire (Ox ford Psychologists Press), and an unstructured interview. Fifty five p er cent of patients achieved five or more A-C grades at 'O' level/GCSE compared with 62% of siblings and a national average of 30%. Despite that these patients were significantly less Likely to go on to higher education than their siblings. The two groups were equally employable and earning similar salaries. There were three cases of known employer prejudice. A slightly higher percentage of patients than siblings had their driving licence. Seventeen patients felt their appearance had c hanged and eight felt that they had a residual physical mobility probl em. Both groups were socially active and equally likely to partake in competitive sports. There was no overall difference in the self esteem of the two groups. In general the survivors of childhood cancer were coping well in their young adult life and achieving the same lifestyle goals as their siblings. However, significant problems have been iden tified.