Concerns about the consequences of cancer predisposition and relationships with quality of life in young adults with Li-Fraumeni syndrome

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Abstract
Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is an inherited condition associated with high multi-organ cancer risks from birth. Young adults (YAs; 18–39 years) with LFS experience psychosocial challenges that may negatively affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aimed to describe a specific psychosocial challenge, concerns about the consequences of LFS (CC-LFS), and investigate relationships among CC-LFS and HRQOL among YAs. An online survey assessed CC-LFS and HRQOL among YAs with LFS enrolled in a National Cancer Institute study. Regression analyses examined relationships between CC-LFS and HRQOL scores, adjusted for age, cancer, and history of mental health challenges. Of 37 total respondents (78% female; M age = 31 years), 51% had a cancer history. Many reported past mental health challenges, including emotional problems (70%), depression/anxiety disorders (68%), and suicidal ideation (43%). Mean scores for mental ( M = 65.8), physical ( M = 67.5), and general ( M = 63.9) HRQOL were lower than in the general population. Higher CC-LFS scores ( M = 31/50, SD = 7.2) were associated with lower scores for each HRQOL domain. Adjusting for covariates, higher CC-LFS scores were associated with lower physical HRQOL (β = −0.491, 95% CI −0.76, −0.22, p < 0.001) and general HRQOL (β = −0.466, 95% CI −0.77, −0.16, p = 0.004), but not mental HRQOL ( p = 0.102). CC-LFS accounted for significant proportions of unique variance in general ( R 2 adj = 17.7%, p = 0.004) and physical HRQOL ( R 2 adj = 20.4%, p < 0.001). Findings suggest YAs with LFS may experience substantial concerns, mental health challenges, and diminished HRQOL. Concerns about LFS consequences appear to be a psychosocial risk factor that clinicians and researchers might address through targeted interventions to improve YAs’ psychosocial health.
Funding Information
  • National Institutes of Health

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