Prevalence of childhood cancer survivors in Europe: a scoping review.

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) require specialized follow-up throughout their lifespan to prevent or manage late effects of cancer treatment. Knowing the size and structure of the population of CCS is crucial to plan interventions. In this scoping review we reviewed studies that reported prevalence of CCS in Europe. We searched Medline, Web of Science, and Embase using permutations of terms referring to childhood, cancer, survivors, prevalence, registries, and Europe. We followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines to select studies and The Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool to evaluate their quality. From 979 unique studies published between 1989 and 2022, 12 were included. Limited-duration prevalence (LDP) for all childhood cancers, assessed in three studies using counting method, varied between 450 and 1240 persons per million. Complete prevalence (CP) of survivors of any childhood cancer except skin carcinomas, reported in three studies using observed data complemented with modelled data for the unobserved period, varied between 730 and 1110 persons per million. CP of survivors of an embryonal tumour was estimated by completeness index method in six studies. In four of them CP ranged from 48 to 95 persons per million for all embryonal tumours, while CP for those occurring in central nervous system was 43 per million in one study and CP for rhabdomyosarcoma was 17 per million in another. Information on prevalence of CCS in Europe is fragmented and inconsistent. The large variations in LDP and CP estimates were linked to differences in data availability, the selection of populations, prevalence measure, statistical method, incidence period, index date, age at diagnosis and prevalence, cancer types, sex, and, for LDP, also the length of follow-up. Standardisation of methodology and reporting are needed to systematically monitor and compare CCS prevalence in Europe and provide data to help address survivors' needs.

IT-Related Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of a New European eHealth Solution, the Digital Survivorship Passport (SurPass Version 2.0): Semistructured Digital Survey.

BACKGROUND: To overcome knowledge gaps and optimize long-term follow-up (LTFU) care for childhood cancer survivors, the concept of the Survivorship Passport (SurPass) has been invented. Within the European PanCareSurPass project, the semiautomated and interoperable SurPass (version 2.0) will be optimized, implemented, and evaluated at 6 LTFU care centers representing 6 European countries and 3 distinct health system scenarios: (1) national electronic health information systems (EHISs) in Austria and Lithuania, (2) regional or local EHISs in Italy and Spain, and (3) cancer registries or hospital-based EHISs in Belgium and Germany. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify and describe barriers and facilitators for SurPass (version 2.0) implementation concerning semiautomation of data input, interoperability, data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity. METHODS: IT specialists from the 6 LTFU care centers participated in a semistructured digital survey focusing on IT-related barriers and facilitators to SurPass (version 2.0) implementation. We used the fit-viability model to assess the compatibility and feasibility of integrating SurPass into existing EHISs. RESULTS: In total, 13/20 (65%) invited IT specialists participated. The main barriers and facilitators in all 3 health system scenarios related to semiautomated data input and interoperability included unaligned EHIS infrastructure and the use of interoperability frameworks and international coding systems. The main barriers and facilitators related to data protection or privacy and cybersecurity included pseudonymization of personal health data and data retention. According to the fit-viability model, the first health system scenario provides the best fit for SurPass implementation, followed by the second and third scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides essential insights into the information and IT-related influencing factors that need to be considered when implementing the SurPass (version 2.0) in clinical practice. We recommend the adoption of Health Level Seven Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources and data security measures such as encryption, pseudonymization, and multifactor authentication to protect personal health data where applicable. In sum, this study offers practical insights into integrating digital health solutions into existing EHISs.

European recommendations for short-term surveillance of health problems in childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer survivors from the end of treatment to 5 years after diagnosis: a PanCare guideline.

PURPOSE: Childhood, adolescent and young adult (CAYA) cancer survivors require ongoing surveillance for health problems from the end of cancer treatment throughout their lives. There is a lack of evidence-based guidelines on optimal surveillance strategies for the period from the end of treatment to 5 years after diagnosis. We aimed to address this gap by developing recommendations for short-term surveillance of health problems based on existing long-term follow-up (LTFU) care guidelines. METHODS: The guideline working group, consisting of healthcare professionals, parents and survivor representatives from 10 countries, worked together to identify relevant health problems that may occur in survivors between the end of treatment and 5 years after diagnosis and to develop recommendations for short-term surveillance of health problems. The recommendations were drawn from existing LTFU guidelines and adapted where necessary based on clinical expertise. RESULTS: The working group developed 44 recommendations for short-term surveillance of health problems, which were divided into four categories based on the level of surveillance required: awareness only (n = 11), awareness, history and/or physical examination without surveillance test (n = 15), awareness, history and/or physical examination with potential surveillance test (n = 1) and awareness, history and/or physical examination with surveillance test (n = 17). CONCLUSION: The development of a guideline for short-term surveillance of health problems fills a critical gap in survivorship care for CAYA cancer survivors, providing much-needed support immediately after treatment up to 5 years after diagnosis. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: This guideline will support healthcare professionals to provide appropriate follow-up care and improve the quality of life of CAYA cancer survivors.

Barriers and facilitators to implementation of the interoperable Survivorship Passport (SurPass) v2.0 in 6 European countries: a PanCareSurPass online survey study.

PURPOSE: Long-term follow-up (LTFU) care for childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) is essential to improve and maintain their quality of life. The Survivorship Passport (SurPass) is a digital tool which can aid in the delivery of adequate LTFU care. During the European PanCareSurPass (PCSP) project, the SurPass v2.0 will be implemented and evaluated at six LTFU care clinics in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Lithuania and Spain. We aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the SurPass v2.0 with regard to the care process as well as ethical, legal, social and economical aspects. METHODS: An online, semi-structured survey was distributed to 75 stakeholders (LTFU care providers, LTFU care program managers and CCSs) affiliated with one of the six centres. Barriers and facilitators identified in four centres or more were defined as main contextual factors influencing implementation of SurPass v2.0. RESULTS: Fifty-four barriers and 50 facilitators were identified. Among the main barriers were a lack of time and (financial) resources, gaps in knowledge concerning ethical and legal issues and a potential increase in health-related anxiety in CCSs upon receiving a SurPass. Main facilitators included institutions' access to electronic medical records, as well as previous experience with SurPass or similar tools. CONCLUSIONS: We provided an overview of contextual factors that may influence SurPass implementation. Solutions should be found to overcome barriers and ensure effective implementation of SurPass v2.0 into routine clinical care. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: These findings will be used to inform on an implementation strategy tailored for the six centres.

Surviving Survival-Challenge Accepted!: Perspectives on Survivorship in Pediatric Oncology.

Surviving childhood cancer can be a lifelong challenge: up to 75% of childhood cancer survivors must deal with late effects of their cancer and treatments. Next to keeping the balance between dealing with late-effects and adapting to a life "after cancer" many childhood cancer survivors also face the reality of inadequate or nonexisting follow-up care. Because cure is not enough, patient advocates depict why it is important to #RaiseYourHands4Survivors!