Hong Kong Med J 2024 Apr;30(2):186 | Epub 10 Apr 2024
© Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Prioritising the psychosocial needs of young oncology patients: a call for comprehensive care
CY Wong, FHKCP1; HY Au, FHKCP1; KY Chan, MD, FHKCP1; Harinder Gill, MD, FRCP2
1 Palliative Medical Unit, Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
2 Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Corresponding author: Dr CY Wong (ashleywcy@gmail.com)
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To the Editor—We write in response to an article
published in November 2023 on digital media that
discussed the difficulties faced by local young cancer
patients who are receiving oncology treatment.1 We
would like to highlight the importance of addressing
these challenges and propose solutions to help
overcome them.
In 2021, young oncology patients comprised
up to 4.1% of all cancer cases in Hong Kong.2 They
experience a range of emotional, social, and financial
challenges that greatly impact their overall well-being.
Neglecting their needs not only strains their
relationship with family, but also hampers their ability
to effectively cope with the disease. The financial
toxicity of cancer treatment, which includes the
expenses, indirect costs and lost income associated
with cancer treatment, further exacerbates these
challenges.3 4
To address these issues effectively it is
essential to provide services specifically designed
for young cancer patients according to their stage of
development. They are at high risk of psychosocial
problems and should be prioritised for early
integration into palliative care services to improve
their quality of life and that of their family.5 Mental
health professionals and support groups should be
widely available for psychological support. Some
medical allowances and social services are provided
only for the older adults. Medical-social collaboration
and educational resources could improve access by
young adults to community support. Additionally,
implementing targeted financial assistance
programmes and providing employment support
will help alleviate the financial burden. It is crucial to
recognise and address the obstacles faced by young
cancer patients.
Author contributions
All authors contributed to the concept or design, acquisition of data, or interpretation of data, drafting of the letter, and critical revision of the letter for important intellectual content. All authors had full access to the data, contributed to the study, approved the final version
for publication, and take responsibility for its accuracy and
integrity.
Conflicts of interest
All authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.
Funding/support
This letter received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
References
1. HK01. Hong Kong young cancer patients established
a mutual aid platform to help themselves as existing
cancer support is mostly targeted at the middle-aged and
older adults. [in Chinese]. 2023 November 22. Available
from: https://www.hk01.com/article/957641?utm_source=01appshare&utm_medium=referral. Accessed 26 Nov 2023.
2. Hong Kong Cancer Registry, Hospital Authority, Hong
Kong SAR Government. Overview of Hong Kong Cancer
Statistics of 2021. Available from: https://www3.ha.org.hk/cancereg/default.asp. Accessed 28 Nov 2023.
3. Evan EE, Zeltzer LK. Psychosocial dimensions of cancer in adolescents and young adults. Cancer 2006;107(7 Suppl):1663-71. Crossref
4. Geue K, Götze H, Friedrich M, et al. Perceived social
support and associations with health-related quality of life
in young versus older adult patients with haematological
malignancies. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2019;17:145. Crossref
5. Zimmermann C, Swami N, Krzyzanowska M, et al. Early palliative care for patients with advanced cancer: a cluster-randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2014;383:1721-30. Crossref