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cover of episode The unique needs of young cancer survivors are often overlooked

The unique needs of young cancer survivors are often overlooked

2024/12/11
logo of podcast Consider This from NPR

Consider This from NPR
AI Deep Dive AI Insights AI Chapters Transcript
People
A
Alison Silberman
B
Brendan Harley
E
E.J. Beck
J
Julia Gomez
L
Lourdes Monge
Y
Yuki Noguchi
Topics
Lourdes Monge：作为一名年轻的癌症幸存者，我在治疗后经历了巨大的生活和职业挑战。癌症诊断不仅冲击了我的身心健康，也让我对未来充满了不确定性。我不得不重新规划我的职业生涯，并面对约会、社交和生育等一系列复杂的问题。尽管如此，我也更加珍惜与家人的时光，并对生活有了新的感悟。 Alison Silberman：年轻的癌症幸存者在癌症研究和支持方面常常被忽视，他们的需求更为复杂和广泛。他们正处于人生的关键阶段，癌症诊断对他们的学业、职业、家庭和生育等方面都产生了深远的影响。 Yuki Noguchi：现代医学的进步显著提高了儿童癌症的生存率，但这同时也带来了新的挑战。年轻的癌症幸存者在治疗后常常面临着学业、社交、心理健康和生育等问题。他们需要更多的关注和支持，以帮助他们更好地适应新的生活。 E.J. Beck：我的儿童癌症治疗经历给我留下了深刻的心理阴影。治疗过程中的痛苦和孤独让我在学业、社交和情感方面与同龄人脱节。即使进入大学，我也感觉自己与其他人格格不入。然而，这段经历也让我更加坚强，并最终选择进入医学院，致力于回报曾经帮助过我的医疗领域。 Julia Gomez：对于儿童癌症患者来说，保持与学校的联系至关重要。我们需要帮助家长们克服各种困难，确保孩子们能够继续接受教育。即使孩子们能够继续上学，他们也常常会受到异样的眼光和歧视。 Brendan Harley：我在17岁时被诊断出患有急性白血病。癌症诊断对我的学业和社交生活造成了严重的影响。治疗期间，我不得不放弃学业，与朋友和家人隔离。然而，战胜癌症后，我对生活充满了感激之情。如今，我成为了一名生物医学工程师，致力于癌症研究，希望改善癌症患者的生活质量。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

What is the current five-year survival rate for children diagnosed with cancer?

Children diagnosed with cancer today have an 85% chance of surviving at least five years, up from about 50% a generation ago.

Why are young cancer survivors often overlooked in cancer research and support?

Historically, cancer didn't affect many young adults, so their unique needs have been overlooked in both research and support systems.

What are some of the challenges young cancer survivors face after treatment?

They must navigate dating, socializing, sex, and child-rearing, often dealing with fertility issues, body image concerns, and the emotional impact of their diagnosis.

How has cancer treatment changed for the better in recent years?

Revolutionary changes in cancer care have made treatments much more effective, with advanced diagnoses no longer being a death sentence.

What impact did cancer have on EJ Beck's social and academic life?

Cancer left her feeling scholastically, socially, and emotionally out of step with her peers for years, even after returning to school.

How does Julia Gomez help young cancer patients stay connected to school?

As an education coordinator, Gomez helps parents navigate bureaucracies to ensure students receive home tutoring and other educational support.

What career path did EJ Beck choose in response to her cancer experience?

Beck started medical school at the teaching hospital where she received treatment as a child, aiming to give back to the field that saved her life.

How did Brendan Harley's cancer experience influence his outlook on life?

Harley's battle with leukemia made him more determined to live fully, appreciating simple things like the greenery around him after returning home.

What role does Brendan Harley play in cancer research today?

Harley is a biomedical engineer who creates models of tumors to design better cancer treatments and improve quality of life for survivors.

How does Lourdes Monge feel about the value of life after cancer?

Monge feels that despite having less on paper, the value of her life has increased significantly, making her savor small moments more deeply.

Chapters
Lourdes Monge's experience highlights the improvements in cancer treatment, yet also the lasting impact on daily life. The narrative contrasts the improved survival rates with the complex challenges faced by young survivors.
  • Improved cancer treatments mean higher survival rates, especially for younger patients.
  • Young cancer survivors face unique challenges related to dating, family planning, and career development.
  • The impact of cancer treatment extends beyond the physical, affecting emotional well-being and life choices.

Shownotes Transcript

One of the triumphs of modern medicine is that children diagnosed with cancer today have an 85 percent chance of surviving at least five years.That is up from a rate of about 50 percent a generation ago.But survival brings new challenges.NPR's Yuki Noguchi reports on the unique needs of young people as part of the series, Life After Diagnosis).For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org). Email us at [email protected]).Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)