Validation of a milk consumption stage of change algorithm among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer.

Objective: To assess the construct validity of a milk consumption Stages of Change (SOC) algorithm among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer ages 11 to 21 years (n = 75).

Methods: Baseline data from a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate a health behavior intervention were analyzed. Assessments included a milk consumption SOC algorithm and hypothesized theoretical and behavioral predictors of SOC.

Improving short-term sun safety practices among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer: a randomized controlled efficacy trial.

Introduction: Skin cancer is one of the most common secondary neoplasms among childhood cancer survivors. However, little evidence exists for effective interventions to promote sun safety behaviors within this population.

Methods: This small-scale randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of the Survivor Health and Resilience Education (SHARE) Program intervention, a multiple health behavior change intervention designed to increase sun safety practices among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer.

Efficacy of the Survivor Health and Resilience Education (SHARE) program to improve bone health behaviors among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test the efficacy of the Survivor Health and Resilience Education Program intervention--a manualized, behavioral intervention focusing on bone health behaviors among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer.

Methods: Participants were 75 teens aged 11-21 years, one or more years post-treatment, and currently cancer-free. Teens were randomized to a group-based intervention focusing on bone health or a wait-list control.

Late effects in long-term survivors after treatment for childhood acute leukemia.

Background: This is a report of late effects in childhood cancer survivors seen in the follow-up clinic of a single institution.

Materials And Methods: There were 324 acute leukemia survivors in the database of the Long Term Follow Up Clinic of Children's National Medical Center from January 1, 1997, through June 30, 2005.

Results: Of the 324 acute leukemia survivors, 228 were white, 48 black, 20 Hispanic, and 12 other.

Hypertension and prehypertension in long-term survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer.

Background: Hypertension as a late effect following childhood and adolescent cancer has received little attention. Since obesity, a known risk factor for hypertension, is increased following some childhood cancers, it seems likely that significant numbers of survivors would have hypertension.

Procedures: The records of patients seen in the Long Term Follow Up Clinic of Children's National Medical Center were examined for a single institution, retrospective study of blood pressure in survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer.

Growth hormone deficiency after chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children who have not received cranial radiation.

Chemotherapy-related growth failure is a significant problem in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and other childhood cancers. Growth impairment after cranial radiation (CR) can result in diminished adult height, but growth failure following chemotherapy without CR is usually followed by catch-up growth and normal adult height.1 A retrospective review of 347 ALL survivors registered in our Long Term Follow Up (LTFU) Clinic, since 1997 revealed that 109 had received CR; 3, total body irradiation (TBI); and 235, neither CR nor TBI.

Multiple behavioral risk factors among adolescent survivors of childhood cancer in the Survivor Health and Resilience Education (SHARE) program.

Background: Health-compromising behaviors among survivors of childhood cancer may increase their risks of cancer recurrence and the onset of chronic disease in adulthood. Regardless of whether such behaviors occur singly or in combination with one another, multiple behavioral risk factors must be identified and addressed early to promote better health outcomes within this special population. Adolescent survivors may be especially vulnerable, as reported rates of smoking and other risky behaviors are at or near levels of their healthy peers.

Identifying, recruiting, and enrolling adolescent survivors of childhood cancer into a randomized controlled trial of health promotion: preliminary experiences in the Survivor Health and Resilience Education (SHARE) Program.

Objective: To report on the identification, recruitment, and enrollment of adolescent survivors of childhood cancer into an ongoing randomized controlled trial (RCT) of health promotion.

Methods: A total of 244 adolescents were contacted by mail and telephone to assess their trial eligibility. Data were collected with respect to each adolescent's demographics and trial recruitment efforts (frequency and intensity of telephone call contact); exclusion and randomization status were tracked throughout.

Second neoplasms in survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer are often treatable.

Purpose: To estimate the incidence and types of second neoplasms in survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer, as well as the characteristics of those who developed second neoplasms.

Methods: Survivors who were under age 21 years at initial diagnosis, off therapy, and in remission for 2 years are referred to the Long Term Survivors' Clinic (LTSC) at Children's National Medical Center (CNMC). This review includes patients entered in the clinic database from January 1, 1997 to August 30, 2002.