This systematic review examines physical function patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors.
Building on a 2023 scoping review, it compares PROMs related to physical function between AYA cancer survivors and non-cancer controls. Across 16 studies, 14 reported significantly worse physical function in AYA survivors. A meta-analysis of five studies using the EORTC-QLQ-C30 indicated that AYA survivors scored an average of 7.03 points lower than their cancer-free peers, a clinically meaningful difference.
The review highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve physical function in this population and emphasizes the importance of longitudinal assessments throughout the cancer journey.