Childhood Cancer Survivors in Latin America: Insights Into Health Outcomes and Information Needs.
Por:
Ana Carolina Izurieta Pacheco, Noyd DH, Challinor J, Rossell N, Olarte-Sierra MF, Blanco DB, Zubieta M, George NB, Pérez-Jaume S, Felip-Badia A, Trigoso V, Loggetto P, Gonzalez V, Frias C, Rincon S, Ortiz R, de Aparicio SF and Ponce LV
Publicada:
1 sep 2025
Ahead of Print:
13 jun 2025
Resumen:
BACKGROUND: Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) face long-term health challenges, yet the health and specific needs of Latin American survivors remain underexplored. This study aimed to describe the health-related, psychosocial late effects, and information needs among CCSs in the region. METHODS: This mixed-method study combined quantitative data from an online survey with qualitative insights from follow-up interviews, involving CCSs from the largest regional survivor network and additional participants recruited through snowball sampling. We report the quantitative results here. The survey was adapted from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study Survey Follow-Up and the Needs Assessment Questionnaire (CCSS-NAQ). RESULTS: A total of 135 CCSs from 16 Latin American countries participated (mean age 26.1 years). The most frequent late effects were mental health (61.2%), endocrine (58.6%), and cardiovascular (42.1%). Infertility was prevalent (16.9%), with nearly one-third unsure of their fertility status. Anxiety (51.1%) and depression (31.8%) were common. Significant findings included higher rates of endocrine disorders in females (p = 0.0018) and those who had received radiation (p = 0.048), respiratory problems in stem cell transplantation recipients (p = 0.026), and auditory impairment in survivors of a solid tumor (p = 0.0031). While most felt informed about their health, only one-third had regular medical follow-up and access to psychological care. Survivors expressed a strong interest in learning more about fertility and mental health, with a preference for digital information. CONCLUSIONS: The study documents the need for region-specific survivorship care that addresses both the physical and mental health challenges of Latin American CCSs.
Filiaciones:
Ana Carolina Izurieta Pacheco:
Oncology Department, Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
Noyd DH:
Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research and the Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Challinor J:
School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
Rossell N:
Independent Researcher, San Salvador, El Salvador
Olarte-Sierra MF:
Medical Anthropology and Global Health Group, Health Matters, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Blanco DB:
Strategic Communication, Education and Outreach, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Zubieta M:
Oncology Unit, Hospital Exequial González Cortes, Fundación Nuestros Hijos, Santiago de Chile, Chile
Childhood Cancer International Latin America, Amsterdam, Netherlands
George NB:
Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research and the Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Pérez-Jaume S:
Oncology Department, Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
Biostatistics and Mathematics Research Unit, Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
:
Oncology Department, Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
Biostatistics and Mathematics Research Unit, Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
Trigoso V:
Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru
Loggetto P:
Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Gonzalez V:
Faros de Vida, Latin American Network of Childhood Cancer Survivors, Guadalajara, Mexico
Frias C:
Faros de Vida, Latin American Network of Childhood Cancer Survivors, Guadalajara, Mexico
Rincon S:
Faros de Vida, Latin American Network of Childhood Cancer Survivors, Guadalajara, Mexico
Ortiz R:
Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
de Aparicio SF:
Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Ponce LV:
Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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