Adolescence is a time of big physical, emotional, and social changes, which can make the teenage years tough and stressful for both teens and their parents. Going through these transitions gets even more difficult when you’re dealing with cancer too. Teens with cancer face special issues that differ from those faced by older and younger patients.
Knowing about these issues can help teens with cancer, their families, and their friends be better prepared to deal with them. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that living with cancer can be different for teens.
Differences in Diagnosis and Treatment
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the most common types of cancer in teens are different than the most common types in children or adults. The most commonly diagnosed cancers in teens include leukemia, lymphoma, testicular cancer, and thyroid cancer.
Additionally, the NCI reports that recent research suggests that cancers in teens may have different genetic causes than the same types of cancers found in older or younger patients. This means teen patients may require different treatments.
Only about 1% of all cancer patients diagnosed in the US each year are teens age 15-19, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). As the ACS goes on to explain, most oncologists specialize in treating either children or adults, which means they may not be as comfortable treating teens.
Being stuck in the middle can leave teens with cancer feeling especially isolated, because they’re either being treated alongside children or older adults instead of their peers. The ACS encourages teen patients to get involved with support groups for teens with cancer, either in person or online. These groups give teens an outlet and a connection to other people who can relate to their experiences.
Concerns with Fertility
Another special concern that tends to affect teens more than older adults is the issue of being able to have biological children in the future. This is especially true because, as the ACS reports, testicular cancer and certain kinds of ovarian cancer are among the more common cancers found in teens and young adults. But cancer treatment may have effects on fertility for teens with other types of cancer too.
The NCI encourages teens and young adults to discuss concerns about future fertility with their doctor. According to Dr. Julie Strickland of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, current options include the freezing of sperm or eggs before treatment, as well as moving ovaries to keep them from being affected by radiation treatments.
Increased Risk of Depression
A cancer diagnosis increases the risk of depression for patients of all ages, but teens with cancer face a higher risk because of their special circumstances. Cancer diagnosis and treatment can disrupt the normal developmental process for teens, forcing them to become more dependent on their parents and isolating them from their friends.
Some studies have found that teens may experience worse pain and side effects during their cancer treatments than older adults, which can contribute to depression. Additionally, teens with cancer may struggle with fears and worries about their future ability to complete their education, start a career, marry, or raise a family.
Doctors, parents, and other loved ones should be aware of the increased risk for depression in teens with cancer as well as how to recognize potential symptoms.
Difficulties with Friendship
It’s part of the normal developmental process for teens to become closer to their peers. But cancer diagnosis and treatment can make that difficult. Friends of teens with cancer may feel awkward or unsure about how to maintain their friendships. They may not know what to say or do. Or they may be misinformed about cancer and even afraid of “catching” it.
All of these factors can lead to teens with cancer losing touch with their friends at a time when they need support the most. Resources like The National Children’s Cancer Society’s “Educational Guide for Friends of Teens with Cancer” can help other teens understand how to maintain their friendship and support their friend with cancer.
For instance, according to the Guide, teens with cancer reported that they most appreciated when their friends would simply visit and “hang out” with them. They liked when their friends treated them as normally as possible, while still understanding the teenage patient’s limitations in terms of energy and physical activity.
Guides like these can help teens know what to say and do to support their friend with cancer, which can alleviate one of the biggest difficulties for teens with cancer—social isolation.
Dealing with Long-Term Effects
Finally, another special issue for teens with cancer is dealing with long-term effects of cancer and treatment that older adults may not experience. As the ACS explains, because teens’ bodies are still developing, their organs and systems can be more sensitive to the side effects of chemo and radiation.
The NCI encourages teen survivors to make sure they get the follow-up care that they need, because those check-ups can both prevent future physical problems and provide emotional reassurance.
Conclusion
Teens with cancer face special issues that younger and older patients may not have. But with support and understanding of these issues, teenage patients and their loved ones can be better prepared to deal with them through diagnosis, treatment, and life after cancer.
