Prevalence and Predictors of Distress in Posttreatment Adult Leukemia and Lymphoma Survivors

Abstract

This paper examines predictors of cancer-specific distress among posttreatment adult leukemia and lymphoma survivors (LLS). Using a survey mailed to LLS in the Colorado Central Cancer Registry (N = 477), the authors developed a multivariable risk profile for distress. Thirty one percent of LLS reported indicators of distress. Significantly higher distress was associated with younger age (p < 0.001) in bivariate analyses. The risk profile included fear of recurrence, financial burden, and younger age. Distress did not attenuate based on time since treatment completion and may persist up to 4 years posttreatment, suggesting a need for intervention, particularly among high-risk LLS.

KEYWORDS:

• hematologic malignancies
• cancer survivorship
• psychosocial
• distress
• cancer
• fear of recurrence
• young adult
• quality of life