Endocrine Abstracts

Survival rates following childhood cancer have improved, but the prevalence of late-effects and possible length of life remaining, mean that questions have been raised about the quality of life (QOL) of survivors. Results from a wide range of studies suggest that QOL among survivors is generally as good, or sometimes better than that reported by the normal population, or healthy siblings. However, considerable variation has been noted, depending on type of cancer and treatment. Individual or personality variables such as optimism, also contribute. Maintenance of QOL despite physical disability has been attributed to ‘response shift’ or the idea that individuals change their values and expectations in line with their health. Family resources, such as closeness and communication quality, also contribute There is also evidence that ‘lifestyle’ variables (smoking, exercise) can moderate the potentially adverse consequences of cancer treatments and affect QOL. While many survivors report good QOL, more work needs to address those sub-groups who experience compromised QOL many years after treatment. Individual and family variables are likely to be more responsive to intervention in a way that treatment late-effects may be less so.