Medical and Psychosocial Issues in Adolescents and Young Adults With Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Pilot Study of Medical and Psychosocial Issues

This study investigates the medical and psychosocial consequences of colorectal cancer on adolescents and young adults. Measuring physical function in adolescents and young adults with colorectal cancer may help doctors better understand the level of physical function during cancer treatment and how to improve the management of colorectal cancer in adolescents and young adults. This study may also help design a future exercise program to decrease risk factors including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To prospectively characterize the symptom burden and assess the health-related quality of life of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in active treatment for colorectal cancer in comparison to older patients to identify differences that contribute to the development of appropriately timed, age appropriate interventions.

II. To characterize the symptom burden and assess the health-related quality of life of AYAs who have completed curative therapy and are in surveillance for colorectal cancer compared to older patients to identify differences that contribute to the development of appropriately timed, age-appropriate interventions.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVE:

I. Using a prospective and cross-sectional design, characterize physical function, body composition, and biomarkers of comorbid conditions among AYAs with colorectal cancer (CRC) on active therapy and after completion of therapy in survivorship to identify targets for and timing of interventions.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE:

I. To assess across Aims differences by cancer site (colon versus [vs.] rectal) by sex, and by race/ethnicity.

OUTLINE:

Patients on active treatment complete questionnaires and undergo collection of blood samples and physical function assessments at baseline, and at 3 and 6 months. Survivors in surveillance complete questionnaires and undergo collection of blood sample and physical function assessment at baseline.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of colorectal cancer (any stage)
• Any type of prior therapy
• Age >= 18-39 years for AYA/young adult sample, age 40+ for older comparison group
• For patients on active therapy: must have been diagnosed within the past three months. For survivors: must have completed curative therapy and are 6-24 months post-diagnosis
• Speak English or Spanish
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are more than 3 months from diagnosis, and survivors who are more than 24 months from initial diagnosis
• Patients who have a life expectancy of less than 6 months per their medical oncologist
• Patients who are deemed too ill or unable to participate by their medical oncologist (e.g., have cognitive impairment or brain metastases)
• Patients who do not speak English or Spanish