Rapid Fire Best of the Best Oral Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Fitness, body composition and HRQoL in long-term survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancers. (#480)

Andrew Murnane 1 2 , Jakub Mesinovic 2 3 , Jeremy Lewin 1 4 , Nicole Kiss 2 , Steve Fraser 2
  1. ONTrac at Peter Mac, Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  2. Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
  3. Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
  4. Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Introduction: AYA cancer survivors may be at risk of impaired functional capacity and unfavourable body composition due to their cancer therapy or current health behaviours. Impaired functional capacity and unfavourable body composition contribute to the increased risk of chronic disease development, in particular cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), body composition and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of long-term AYA cancer survivors and compare their current health and well-being to age-matched normative data.

Method: This explorative cross-sectional study recruited participants aged 15-25 years at time of cancer diagnosis and ≥ 5 year’s post-treatment completion. Study participants completed a range of assessments including cardiopulmonary exercise testing, dual x-ray absorptiometry, and questionnaires to measure fatigue (FACIT-F) and HRQoL (AQoL-6D). T-tests were used to compare means to normative data and Z-score within 1 SD indicated normal bone mineral density.

Results: Twenty-two participants were recruited with the following demographics: median age 27.9 (SD 3.3); 54.5% women; 7.2 years post-treatment completion (SD 2.2) and predominantly had Hodgkin lymphoma (40.1%). CRF was 13.9% below predicted (V02peak 32.9 mL/kg/min vs predicted 38.2 mL/kg/min, p=0.05). Bone mineral density Z-scores (0.17) were within normal ranges, however, both women and men had higher body fat percentage (AYA women: 32.2% vs 28.6%; AYA men: 27.1% vs 18.9%) and lower lean mass (AYA women: 40.4kg vs 45.3kg; AYA men: 55kg vs 65.5kg) compared to age-matched counterparts. AYA cancer survivors also had lower HRQoL (t[df=465]=-3.6, p<.0001) and similar fatigue levels (t[df=325]=-0.8, p=0.5) compared to age-matched counterparts.

Conclusion: AYA survivors exhibit lower CRF, higher fat mass, lower lean mass and poorer HRQoL compared to age-matched counterparts. These health outcomes may adversely impact everyday functional performance and increase risk of chronic disease development. Interventions that address these issues early in survivorship may promote better long-term health outcomes in this population group.