Grant recieved in 2023
DCCC has founded 200.000 DKK to the initiative.
Annually, approximately 1500 young adults aged 18-39 receive a cancer diagnosis, with one-third of them primarily undergoing radiation therapy. This treatment carries the risk of side effects and a diminished quality of life. Furthermore, a cancer diagnosis for this demographic often entails complex existential challenges and specific age-related needs.
Despite these challenges, there is currently limited research on the quality of life and symptoms among young adults, and this research has not systematically collected data using questionnaires specifically developed for this age group. Moreover, existing studies fail to measure the evolution of symptoms and needs among young adults over time, and there are no comparisons of quality of life before, during, and after radiation therapy. Therefore, there is a need for targeted research that can illuminate and enhance the understanding of the quality of life and needs among young adults.
The group behind the application intends to investigate whether the quality of life questionnaire EORTC QLQ-AYA can effectively identify symptoms and challenges before, during, and after a course of radiation therapy. Additionally, the group intends to chart the progression of patient-reported symptoms and quality of life over time in young adults undergoing radiation therapy using the QLQ-AYA questionnaire.
DCCC supports the preparation of a nationally investor-initiated study aimed at establishing evidence for interdisciplinary interventions that can support young adults with cancer. This initiative represents the first step toward a more systematic approach and intervention for young patients undergoing radiation therapy in Denmark.
Multidisciplinary organsation
The Danish National Research Center - DCCC Radiotherapy, is engaged in the project. Similarly, the initiators behind National AYA Cancer research Denmark - NAYAcare DK, provide support to the project.
Project stakeholder
Capital Region of Denmark
- Helle Pappot, Consultant, Professor, Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet. Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen. Primary contact, e-mail: pappot@regionh.dk
- Line Bentsen, Medical Doctor, PhD Student, Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet
- Ivan Richter Vogelius, Medical Doctor, PhD, Professor, Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet
Region of Southern Denmark
- Pia Krause Møller, Clinical Research Nurse, PhD, Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital. Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark
- Maria Aagesen, Physiotherapist, PhD Student, User Perspectives and Community-based Interventions, University of Southern Denmark
- Karina Gottlieb, Radiation oncology physicist, Radiophysics Laboratory, Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital
Region Zealand
- Cecilie Holländer-Mieritz, Medical Doctor, PhD, Postdoc, Departmet of Oncology, Zealand University Hospital, Næstved
Central Denmark Region
- Laura Carstens, Young Patient Representative, Central Denmark Region
- Anne Wilhøft Kristensen, Clinical Nurse, PhD Student, Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital
North Denmark Region
- Helle Enggaard, Postdoc, Registered Nurse, PhD, The Clinical Nursing Research Unit & Clinical Cancer Research Center, Aalborg University Hospital