Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer Experience High Rates of Disability and Financial Hardship
Many people who had cancer as a child may continue to experience health challenges long after treatment ends. Research presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting found that disabilities related to past cancer treatment are common among adult survivors of childhood cancer. The study also found that these disabilities are closely linked to financial hardship. This highlights the importance of care that addresses both medical and financial needs.
What is disability?
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines disability as more than a physical limitation. It can include changes in body function, difficulties performing daily activities, and challenges participating in work, school, or social life.
A disability may develop years after treatment because of long-term or late effects of therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.
Some examples of disability include:
Changes in strength or balance
Hearing or vision loss
Nerve damage (neuropathy)
Problems with thinking or memory
Chronic pain or fatigue
Difficulty with mobility or self-care
About the study
Researchers analyzed health information from 3,549 adult survivors enrolled in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort (SJLIFE) Study. Participants were an average of 33.6 years old at the time of evaluation.
The most common childhood cancers among participants were:
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (31.9%)
Central nervous system tumors (14.5%)
Hodgkin lymphoma (10.5%)
The researchers used the WHO’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework to evaluate disability among study participants. They also examined whether disability was associated with cancer-related financial hardship.
What did the researchers find?
The researchers found that disability was very common among survivors.
Of the participants, 87.4% had at least one moderate or greater disability.
When looking at specific areas, they found:
74.6% had impairments affecting body function or structure, such as pain, fatigue, hearing, vision, or nerve problems.
32.9% had activity limitations that made everyday tasks more difficult.
63.3% experienced participation restrictions that affected work, education, independent living, physical activity, or quality of life.
These rates were significantly higher than those seen in people without a history of childhood cancer.
Disability was linked to financial hardship
The study also found a strong relationship between disability and financial burden.
Survivors with greater disability were much more likely to report cancer-related financial hardship. This association was seen across all categories of disability, including:
Physical impairments
Limitations in daily activities
Challenges participating in work, education, or community life
These findings suggest that the long-term effects of childhood cancer can extend beyond health and affect employment, income, and overall financial stability.
What does this mean for treatment?
More children than ever survive cancer and live into adulthood because of advances in cancer treatment. It is becoming increasingly important to address the long-term consequences of treatment.
This study highlights that survivorship care should go beyond monitoring for cancer relapse. Recognizing these challenges early may improve both quality of life and long-term financial well-being.
Looking forward
The researchers concluded that disability is highly prevalent among adult survivors of childhood cancer and is strongly associated with financial hardship. These findings support a more comprehensive approach to survivorship care that addresses both medical needs and the economic challenges survivors may face throughout adulthood.
Survivors of childhood can benefit from resources designed to address their long-term health and well-being. Mental health professionals, peer support groups, and survivorship organizations can also offer guidance on topics like relationships, fertility, employment, insurance, and emotional health. Connecting with others who share similar experiences can help adult survivors find practical advice, build community, and navigate life after childhood cancer with confidence. Follow the links below for helpful resources.
Sources:
Bethany Howell
Bethany joined HealthTree in 2025. She is passionate about supporting patients and their care partners and improving access to quality care.