Jennifer S. Ford

City University of New York - Hunter College | Hunter CUNY · Department of Psychology

Purpose Among young adult (YA) cancer survivors, sexual health is often exclusively focused on sexual functioning, or the completion of sexual tasks. However, it has become clear that there is another element of sexual health, sexual well-being—one’s subjective experience of sex (e.g., body image or sexual/romantic relationship satisfaction)—that m...

Purpose of Review Sexual problems after cancer are common and multifaceted, particularly among women. The objective of this paper is to review recent and innovative behavioral (non-pharmacologic) interventions that aim to improve the sexual health of women affected by cancer. The review focuses on studies published within the past 5 years, focusing...

Purpose: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors are at-risk for cancer-related financial difficulties (i.e., financial toxicity [FT]). Family building after cancer often requires reproductive medicine or adoption with high costs; AYAs experience financial barriers to family building. This study evaluated the relationships among cancer FT, repro...

Background: Owing to gonadotoxic cancer treatments, young adult female survivors often report uncertainty about their fertility, reproductive potential, and family-building options after treatment. Roadmap to Parenthood is a web-based decision aid and planning tool for family building after cancer. Objective: As part of a patient-centered develo...

Background Cancer survivors treated with any dose of radiation to the abdomen, pelvis, spine, or total body irradiation (TBI) are at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to the general population. Since earlier detection of CRC is strongly associated with improved survival, the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Long-Term Fol...

Purpose: This qualitative study examined experiences and attitudes related to cancer-peer interactions among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Methods: Twenty-six survivors, aged 16-24 years who were diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 14 and 18, completed one-on-one semistructured interviews as part of a larger study. Interv...

A cancer diagnosis during adolescence or young adulthood (AYA; defined as ages 15–39) can result in various medical and psychosocial needs unique to this age group. The extant literature has frequently combined AYAs with either survivors of childhood cancer or those who are older at the time of diagnosis. As a result, our understanding of AYAs is s...

10015 Background: Survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at risk for obesity and cardiovascular (CV) disease. Exposure to cranial radiotherapy (CRT) increases risks. We tested whether a weight loss intervention that was successful in the general population could result in weight loss or improvements CV risk factors for ALL su...

Objectives: Young adult cancer survivors often experience altered social relationships which may be a result of social support networks not knowing how to effectively provide the support young adults need. This study aimed to identify and describe themes of young adults' support preferences when engaging in cancer-related conversations and examine...

Purpose: Fertility is an important issue among adolescent and young adult female (AYA-F) cancer survivors. This study examined AYA-F survivors' unmet needs and recommendations for care to address fertility/family-building in post-treatment survivorship. Methods: Semi-structured interviews (45-60 min) explored themes related to fertility and fami...

Key Points What's already known about this topic? • Young adult (YA; aged 18–39) cancer survivors report social isolation and unmet needs for social, emotional, and informational support. • Mobile health applications offer a unique and scalable opportunity to provide access to YA peers and other resources, overcoming geographical distance and fin...

We assessed breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening practices in adult retinoblastoma (Rb) survivors and non‐Rb controls. We found that most Rb survivors adhered to general population cancer screening recommendations. Rates did not differ among Rb survivors and non‐Rb controls, or among survivors by laterality, even though bilateral survi...

Purpose Family-building after gonadotoxic treatment often requires in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, or adoption, with associated challenges such as uncertain likelihood of success, high costs, and complicated laws regulating surrogacy and adoption. This study examined adolescent and young adult female (AYA-F) survivors’ experiences and decision-m...

Purpose: Cancer-related worry is common among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors, and is associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes. Thus, it is crucial to identify possible modifiable covariates of cancer-related worry to aid in developing targeted interventions. This study aimed to explore the cross-sectional associations betwee...

Purpose Adolescent survivors of pediatric cancers may use alcohol and tobacco (73–90% and 10–29%, respectively) at similar rates as their healthy peers despite known adverse health effects of these substances. This is concerning given that these behaviors can increase the risk for adverse late effects among this population. This study explores the...

BACKGROUND An important aspect of patient-centered care involves making sure patient directed resources are usable, understandable, and responsive to patients’ needs. User-centered design refers to an empathy-based framework and iterative design approach for developing a product or solution based on in-depth understanding of users’ needs, values, a...

Background An important aspect of patient-centered care involves ensuring that patient-directed resources are usable, understandable, and responsive to patients’ needs. A user-centered design refers to an empathy-based framework and an iterative design approach for developing a product or solution that is based on an in-depth understanding of users...

Purpose: Survivorship experiences among adolescent and young adults (AYA) with cancer are unique and may involve a process of identity construction. This qualitative study explored AYA survivors' felt experience of being a cancer survivor focusing on the meaning of survivorship and whether identifying as a "cancer survivor" is consistent with their...

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) represent a unique patient population with a number of age-specific care needs that should be understood and attended to as a part of comprehensive cancer care. The effects of cancer and its treatment on sexual functioning and fertility are common and ranked as among the most distressing survivorship issues faced...

PURPOSE To evaluate childhood cancer survivors’ adherence to surveillance protocols for late effects of treatment and to determine the factors affecting adherence. METHODS Between 2014 and 2016, 11,337 survivors and 2,146 siblings in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study completed a survey ascertaining adherence to Children’s Oncology Group (COG) gu...

Background: Treatment outcomes among survivors of cancer diagnosed during adolescence and early young adulthood have not been characterised independently of survivors of cancers diagnosed during childhood. We aimed to describe chronic health conditions and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among survivors of early-adolescent and young adult c...

Introduction Many young adult female (YA-F) cancer survivors who received gonadotoxic therapy will experience fertility problems. After cancer, having a child will often require assisted reproductive technology (ART), surrogacy or adoption. However, there are significant informational, psychosocial, financial and logistical barriers to pursuing the...

Objectives Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular tumor of childhood with >95% survival rates in the US. Traditional therapy for retinoblastoma often included enucleation (removal of the eye). While much is known about the visual, physical, and cognitive ramifications of enucleation, data are lacking about survivors' perception of ho...

Objective: Little attention has been paid to understanding how engaging in cancer-related interpersonal exchanges via varying modes of communication influences psychological well-being among young adults with cancer. This study explored the moderating role of communication mode on the relationship of relational processes of disclosure and responsi...

Background: Optimal risk-based survivor health care includes surveillance for late effects and education targeted at reducing or preventing risky health behaviors. Understanding the reasons for a lack of risk-based follow-up care is essential. Methods: Adult participants from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study were surveyed about having a cance...

Objective To describe differences in health care needs between Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) with and without anxiety and examine the association between anxiety and unmet health care needs. Methods We analyzed data from the 2009/2010 national survey of CSHCN. The independent variable was anxiety. The main outcomes were health ca...

Background: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors are under-represented in research. Social media is increasingly used for recruitment given its ability to reach large audiences. Differences in participant characteristics and potential biases due to recruitment source are not well understood. Purpose: This study aimed to: (a) compare...

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to increase the uptake of screening mammography among high-risk women who were treated for a childhood cancer with chest radiotherapy. Patients and methods: Two hundred four female survivors in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study who were treated with chest radiotherapy with 20 Gy or greater, age 25 to 5...

Purpose: To assess depression, anxiety, and stress in parents of patients with retinoblastoma and to evaluate the impact of unifocal versus multifocal retinoblastoma. Methods: A cross-sectional, self-reported psychological assessment of parents of patients with retinoblastoma at a tertiary care ocular oncology center was performed. The Beck Depr...

Background Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for adverse psychological outcomes. Whether exercise can attenuate this risk is unknown. Methods In total, 6199 participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (median age, 34.3 years [range, 22.0‐54.0 years]; median age at diagnosis, 10.0 years [range, 0‐21.0 years]) completed a questionnaire...

Objective: Young adult (YA) cancer survivors who received gonadotoxic therapy are at risk for impaired fertility and/or childbearing difficulties. This study explored the experiences and financial concerns of survivors pursuing family‐building through assisted reproductive technology (ART) and adoption. Methods: Retrospective study of data collecte...

Purpose: Cancer survivors undergo lifelong surveillance regimens that involve repeated diagnostic medical imaging. As many of these diagnostic tests use ionizing radiation, which may modestly increase cancer risks, they may present a source of worry for survivors. The aims of this paper are to describe cancer survivors' level of worry about medica...

Objectives To examine cancer‐related worry in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors and its relationship with posttraumatic growth over time, as the relationship between these constructs has not been assessed longitudinally in this population. Methods 153 AYA cancer survivors completed measures of cancer‐related worry and posttraumatic...

Importance Retinoblastoma survivors are at risk for adverse oculo-visual outcomes. Limited data are available regarding long-term vision-targeted health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adult retinoblastoma survivors. Objective To examine vision-targeted HRQoL as reported on the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Field Questionnaire for overa...

This qualitative study examined adolescent and young adult survivors’ perceptions of support from family and peers. A total of 26 survivors, aged 16–24 years, who had been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 14 and 18, participated in semi-structured interviews. Three themes emerged for support: practical support, emotional support, and new s...

BACKGROUND The objective of the current study was to characterize and identify factors associated with perceptions of risk of infertility among adult male survivors of childhood cancer. METHODS A total of 1233 adult male survivors from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study who were without a history of disease recurrence or subsequent malignancy rep...

Purpose The purpose of this review was to synthesize current knowledge about anxiety among adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer and highlights areas for future research. Methods Systematic literature searches were conducted in five databases for articles published anytime before December 28, 2015. Manuscripts were reviewed by a team of six cod...

122 Background: Retinoblastoma (Rb) survivors are at risk for adverse oculo-visual outcomes. Limited data are available regarding long-term visual functioning among adult Rb survivors. Methods: Rb survivors, diagnosed from 1932–1994 and treated in New York, completed a comprehensive questionnaire that included the National Eye Institute Visual Func...

Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer

Background: The effect of temporal changes in cancer therapy on health status among childhood cancer survivors has not been evaluated. Objective: To compare proportions of self-reported adverse health status outcomes among childhood cancer survivors across 3 decades. Design: Cross-sectional. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01120353). Setting: 27 Nor...

Purpose: A cancer diagnosis during adolescence or young adulthood (AYA; defined as ages 15-39) generates unique medical and psychosocial needs as developmental milestones are simultaneously impacted. Past research highlights that AYAs' experiences and psychosocial outcomes are different, and more research and attention is needed. We aimed to ident...

Background: Limited data are available regarding long-term morbidity in adult survivors of retinoblastoma (Rb). Methods: The Retinoblastoma Survivor Study is a retrospective cohort of adult survivors of Rb diagnosed between 1932 and 1994. Participants completed a comprehensive questionnaire adapted from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study survey...

Purpose: Many adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors place great importance on fertility. This study explored AYAs' discussions of fertility in the context of discussing their survivorship experiences. Methods: Secondary analyses of a qualitative study of young adult survivors of adolescent cancers ("AYA survivors") was performed usin...

Having a brother or sister with childhood cancer may influence health behaviors during adulthood. The aim of this study was to compare tobacco use in siblings of survivors with peers and to identify factors associated with sibling tobacco use. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using adult siblings (N = 1,974) of 5+ year cancer survivors in...

Women with a history of chest radiotherapy (RT) have an increased risk of breast cancer however many do not undergo annual recommended screening mammography. We sought to characterize the relationship between mammography and potentially modifiable factors, with the goal of identifying targets for intervention to improve utilization. Of 625 female p...

Survivors of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) treated as adults are at risk for late effects of therapy. However, the burden of late morbidity and mortality among adults treated for HL remains incompletely characterized. Vital status and, for deceased, cause of death were determined for 746 adults treated on a first-line trial at a single center from 1975 t...

A survivor’s (and a parent’s) understanding of fertility and sexuality and how it is impacted by cancer and cancer therapy evolves through the stages of survivorship. During the stress-laden period of diagnosis, when therapeutic decisions are made and as a parent faces the possibility of losing a child, details regarding the potential for infertili...

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of childhood cancer survivors living to an old age due to improved cancer treatments. However, these survivors are at risk of numerous late effects as a result of their cancer therapy. Engaging in protective health behaviors and limiting health damaging behaviors are vitally important for these survi...

Purpose: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) employ self-disclosure in normative social interactions and in promoting identity development. Disclosure is associated with numerous psychological and physical benefits. Little research has examined how AYA cancer survivors diagnosed during adolescence disclose their cancer history. Methods: Using a qu...

Purpose: Childhood cancer survivors may be at risk for impaired psychosexual functioning as a direct result of their cancer or its treatments, psychosocial difficulties, and/or diminished quality of life. Patients and methods: Two thousand one hundred seventy-eight female adult survivors of childhood cancer and 408 female siblings from the Child...

Despite the fact that childhood and young adult cancer survivors are at increased risk for chronic health problems as a result of their cancer treatment, many use tobacco, thereby increasing their risks. Perceptions of risk related to tobacco use can be targeted for interventions aimed at improving health behaviors for childhood, adolescent, and yo...

Adult childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) are at high risk for illness and premature death. Little is known about the physicians who provide their routine medical care. To determine general internists' self-reported attitudes and knowledge about the care of CCSs. Cross-sectional survey. Mailed survey delivered between September 2011 and August 2012....

Smoking among cancer survivors increases the risk of late effects and second cancers. This article reports on Partnership for Health-2 (PFH-2)-an effort to develop an effective and scalable version of Partnership for Health (PFH), which was a previously tested peer-delivered telephone counseling program that doubled smoking cessation rates among ch...

Due to their heightened risk of developing late-occurring adverse outcomes, pediatric cancer survivors are advised to receive follow-up care in specialized Survivor Clinics. However, little is known about the impact of attending such clinics on psychosocial adjustment, knowledge, and morbidity. This study assesses the differences between those who...

10019 Background: Increased risk of second malignant neoplasms (SMN) in retinoblastoma survivors (RBS) is well documented, but little is known about their long-term burden of chronic non-visual morbidity. Methods: RBS treated in NYC were asked to complete a comprehensive questionnaire, adapted from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) surveys...

This study assessed the prevalence of smoking restrictions among households of survivors of childhood and young adult cancer who smoke. It also examined the relationship between home smoking restrictions and motivation to quit smoking, as well as other smoking, psychosocial, and environmental factors. Participants included 374 smokers who were chil...

9586 Background: Although most childhood cancer survivors (CCS) report obtaining health care in the community, primary care physicians’ views and knowledge regarding the long-term follow-up (LTFU) care of CCS are largely unknown. Methods: Surveys were mailed to a random sample of 1,907 general internists under age 65 years from the American Medical...

Background The probability of 5-year survival from childhood cancer has increased from under 30% in 1960 to almost 80% for those children diagnosed between 1996 and 2002(1). This success has brought with it the need to assess the long-term morbidity and mortality associated with cancer and its treatment. Long-term survivors are at risk for developi...

This study examined the association between sociodemographic, cancer treatment, and care delivery factors on young adult cancer survivors' confidence in managing their survivorship care. Survivors aged 18-39 years (n = 376) recruited from the LIVESTRONG™ Survivorship Center of Excellence Network sites completed a survey assessing self-reported rece...

The field of adolescent and young adult oncology (AYAO) is developing and evolving, providing fertile ground for debate, discussion, and the exchange of opinions. In the "Controversies" feature of each issue of Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, we will pose a key AYAO question to people from various organizations, geographical locatio...

Partnership for Health-2 (PFH-2) is a web-based version of Partnership for Health, an evidence-based smoking cessation intervention for childhood cancer survivors. This paper describes the PFH-2 intervention and baseline data collection. 374 childhood and young adult cancer survivors were recruited from five cancer centers and participated in the b...

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors face substantially elevated risks of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. They and their physicians are often unaware of these risks and surveillance recommendations. A prospective one-arm study was conducted among a random sample of 72 HL survivors, ages 27-55 years, participating in the Childhood Cancer Surviv...

Women treated with chest radiation for a pediatric cancer have low mammography screening rates despite their high risk for breast cancer. This study characterized the relationship between perceptions of mammography and screening practices. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 523 women in North America who were treated with chest radiation...

Survivors of childhood cancer may develop a second malignant neoplasm during adulthood and therefore require regular surveillance. To examine adherence to population cancer screening guidelines by survivors at average risk for a second malignant neoplasm and adherence to cancer surveillance guidelines by survivors at high risk for a second malignan...

Introduction This study empirically assessed emotional and sexual functioning, reproductive concerns, and quality of life (QOL) of cancer-related infertile women in comparison to those without a cancer history and explored awareness of third-party reproduction options in cancer survivors. Methods One hundred twenty-two cancer survivors (Gynecologic...

The mass media is increasingly important in shaping a range of health beliefs and behaviors. We examined the association among mass media health information exposure (general health, cancer, sun protection information), skin cancer beliefs, and sun protection behaviors. We used a general population national probability sample comprised of 1633 indi...