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therapy do not plateau but increase with age, often becoming apparent decades after
therapy. While the majority of these young people do not report significant problems
there are still protective factors as discussed earlier in this chapter that support and
cushion them and the challenges of independence and adulthood haven’t yet needed to
be met, it would be a mistake to assume “ all is well” for the majority. The numbers of
young people surviving cancer will continue to increase, with approximately 160
childhood cancer diagnoses a year in New Zealand and survival rates of greater than
80% there will be at least 1200 additional survivors of a childhood cancer each decade
becoming adults who may be burdened by the late effects of their childhood disease.
This study does provide for the first time valuable information on the self-
perceived emotional wellbeing of adolescent childhood cancer survivors in New
Zealand. Health professionals engaged with these young people from diagnosis through
to completion of treatment and long term follow-up need to continue to work towards a
better understanding of the unique challenges and difficulties they face, developing
appropriate, holistic care for not only those with identified late effects but to ensure the
general wellbeing of all childhood cancer survivors.
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