Objective This study aimed to examine the risk of being granted a disability pension (DP) among incident cancer patients up to five years after diagnosis compared to a match control group, before and after the structural reform of the Danish Disability Pension Act in 2013. Methods All 20–60-year-old incident cancer-diagnosed individuals from 2000 to 2015 were identified in the Danish Cancer Registry. A control group, not previously diagnosed with cancer, was identified in Statistics Denmark matched by gender, age, education, and household income. Risk differences (RD) in cumulative incidence proportions of being granted a DP between cancer patients and controls were analyzed before and after the reform. Results In total, 111 773 incident cancer patients and 506 904 controls were included in the study. Before reform 10 561 cancer patients and 11 231 controls were granted DP; and 2570 cancer patients and 2646 controls were granted DP after the reform. The adjusted RD of being granted DP was significantly higher for cancer patients versus controls at all time points before the reform. The RD increased the most during the first (RD 3.6, 95% CI 3.5–3.7) and second (RD 7.2, 95% CI 7.0–7.4) follow-up year and levelled off the remaining three years. After the reform, the adjusted RD were lower for all 1–5 follow-up years compared to before the reform (RD range 2.8–7.7, 95% CI 2.6–8.1). Conclusion The 2013 reform of the Disability Pension Act reduced the risk of cancer patients being granted DP. The impact on a personal level should be further explored.

This study aimed to explore whether young adults with cancer have different functioning compared to older age groups with cancer. This study is a cross‐sectional study including 654 adults (≥18 years) with cancer. Exposure was age groups categorised as (1) young adults (n = 121) = 18–39 years; (2) middle‐aged adults (n = 406) = 40–64 years; and (3) older people (n = 127) = ≥65 years. Outcomes were physical, role, social and cognitive functioning. Analyses consisted of linear regression models. Middle‐aged adults had a statistically significant worse physical functioning compared to young adults (−3.90: [95% CI: −6.84; −0.95]). The older age group also had a statistically significant worse physical functioning compared to young adults (−7.63: [95% CI: −11.29; −3.96]). Young adults had statistically significant lower role functioning (−7.11: [95% CI: −1.13; −13.08]) and cognitive functioning (−13.82: [95% CI: −7.35; −20.29]) compared to the older age group. There was no statistically significant difference in social functioning between the age groups. Young adults with cancer seem to have other functioning problems compared with higher age groups. These findings support current research regarding the need to develop age‐specific and appropriate rehabilitation services for young adults with cancer.

Aim: The aim of this study was threefold: (1) to explore Danish adolescents and young adults’ (AYAs) thoughts concerning sexual health particularly focusing on sexuality, intimacy, and body image throughout a cancer trajectory, (2) to investigate how AYAs experience healthcare professionals address of- and respond to sexual health issues, and (3) to identify AYAs’ suggestions on how to support conversation about sexual health. Methods: A qualitative, single-center study was conducted, including AYAs (18–29 years) diagnosed with cancer recruited at the University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted from January–February 2023, recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Twelve participants were interviewed, aged 20–29; five were diagnosed with hematological- and seven with oncological cancer. Our analyses yielded three themes: (1) sexuality and body image as part of the identity, (2) excluding relatives in conversations about sexual health, and (3) uncertainty how to discuss sexual health with healthcare professionals. Finally, the AYAs’ suggestions to support conversations about sexual health were organized into six thematic categories. Conclusion: In this study, participants experienced altered sexual subsequent impacts on body image and self-esteem during their cancer trajectory. While some adapted to these changes, discussing them with healthcare providers was difficult, especially in the presence of relatives, as the AYAs wanted to shield them from additional concerns. To enhance support, AYAs suggest regular discussions on sexual health and the use of a dialog tool by healthcare professionals.

We aim to identify and prioritise rehabilitation interventions to strengthen participation in everyday life for young adult cancer survivors (YACS) between 18 and 39 years, involving the perspectives of YACS and relevant stakeholders. A group concept mapping study was conducted in Denmark from 2019 to 2020. Online, participants generated and sorted ideas followed by rating their importance. Multidimensional scaling followed by hierarchical cluster analyses were applied to generate a cluster rating map of the prioritised interventions, which participants validated at a face‐to‐face meeting. Finally, a concluding conceptual model of prioritised rehabilitation intervention for YACS was developed. The study involved 25 YACS, three family members and 31 professionals working with YACS. The conceptual model included 149 ideas classified into eight intervention components created by the participants: (1) Treatment and possibilities within the social and healthcare system, (2) Rights and Finance, (3) Education and Work, (4) Psychological problems, (5) Body and Everyday Life, (6) Peer‐to‐peer, (7) Sexuality and Relationships and (8) Family and Friends. All components were rated equally important, whereby 17 ideas across the eight components were rated very important. This study indicates that rehabilitation of YACS should be composed of eight equally important intervention components requiring an interdisciplinary approach.

Objective: To map existing research concerning rehabilitation interventions for young adult cancer survivors (YACS) that address at least one factor from the biopsychosocial health model. Design: Scoping review. Data sources: Searches were performed in EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Cochrane in January 2022 and updated in March 2023, and grey literature between February and April 2022. Methods: The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute's methodology for scoping reviews. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods studies evaluating interventions for YACS of any cancer who had completed primary treatment and were between 18 and 39 years old at diagnosis were included. Two authors independently screened studies for eligibility, and standardised forms were used for data extraction. Descriptive statistics, narrative summaries and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data. Results: The search revealed 5706 records, of which 70 were full-text screened. The 20 included studies represented a heterogeneous group of 444 young adults with different cancer types, mean age above 25, and an overrepresentation of females. Most studies were feasibility and pilot studies. The 20 studies consisted of 14 unique interventions focusing primarily on one dimension of the biopsychosocial health model like biological or psychological factors. In the 14 interventions, the most frequent intervention element was peer-to-peer support ( n = 12). The interventions were often delivered online ( n = 9), lasting 3–12 months ( n = 8). A wide variety of theories, providers and outcome measures were used. Conclusion: The results show that current research on multicomponent, biopsychosocial and age-specific rehabilitation for YACS remains at an early stage.