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Cancer

Cancer Survivorship Care Lacking in Pediatric Cancer Centers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The importance of survivorship care for children who have undergone cancer treatment cannot be overstated. Despite its significance, research has shown that follow-up care remains suboptimal. A recent study published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship has explored the factors associated with long-term survivor clinic (LTSC) nonattendance, delayed initiation, and disengagement among pediatric cancer survivors.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study examined outcomes in 1138 survivorship-eligible childhood cancer survivors diagnosed between 2011 and 2019.
  • The mean age at the end of treatment was 9.3 years, with 56% of participants being male and 50% identifying as Latino.
  • 21% of participants never attended LTSC.
  • Nonattendance was associated with older age (aOR = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.11-1.18), public (aOR = 2.37; 95% CI, 1.65-3.44), or no insurance (aOR = 2.58; 95% CI, 1.20-5.42).
  • Delayed initiation was linked to higher odds of disengagement (aOR = 1.28; 95% CI, 0.85-1.92).
  • Disengagement was higher among older (aOR = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.05-1.12) and publicly insured (aOR = 2.29; 95% CI, 1.55-3.42) survivors.
  • The study concluded that tailored interventions supporting older and under-insured survivors, and early referral to LTSC, may improve survivor initiation and long-term engagement with survivorship care.

Statistics:

  • 21% of pediatric cancer survivors never received survivorship care.
  • 56% of participants were male.
  • 50% of participants identified as Latino.
  • The mean age at the end of treatment was 9.3 years.
  • 42% of participants had leukemia.

Sources:

  • Baylor College of Medicine. Baylor College of Medicine Details Findings in Cancer (Predictors of long-term follow-up clinic attendance and continued engagement among survivors of cancer in childhood and adolescence). Pediatrics Week. November 1, 2025; p 48.
  • Journal of Cancer Survivorship. Predictors of long-term follow-up clinic attendance and continued engagement among survivors of cancer in childhood and adolescence. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 2025.
  • Springer. Journal of Cancer Survivorship, 2025.

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