Psychosocial Outcomes in Young Adults with Cancer: Emotional Distress, Quality of Life and Personal Growth

This study aimed at assessing the psychosocial adjustment, specifically the emotional distress, quality of life (QOL) and personal growth, in a sample of 36 Portuguese young adults with cancer and 435 healthy controls. Cancer patients scored significantly lower than controls in the role, cognitive and social domains of QOL and in personal growth. Cancer patients scored significantly lower than off-treatment survivors in the role domain of QOL and personal growth. Cancer patients revealed QOL and personal growth difficulties. These issues need to be considered in the psychosocial intervention within adolescents and young adults' oncology care.