Table 2.

Similarities and differences among the lived experiences of extended (n = 12) and long-term (n = 12) young adult cancer survivors.

Themes	Extended Survivors	Both Groups	Long-Term Survivors
Symptoms	Pain, immobility, medication side effects (e.g., hair loss)	Fatigue, dietary restrictions (e.g., taste alterations, sensitivity to certain foods)	Fear of unknown, life stress (e.g., maintaining long-term relationships), hormonal changes (e.g., early onset menopause)
Psychosocial concerns	Acute concerns (e.g., hair loss, scarring), body image (e.g., appearance, weight fluctuations), COVID-19 isolation, medication side-effects	Treatment anxiety, fear of recurrence, feeling self-conscious, impaired quality of life	Chronic concerns (e.g., ability to find and keep a job, fertility concerns, financial burden)
Coping strategies	Distraction-based “negative” coping strategies (e.g., snacking, listening to music)	Mindfulness, humor, engaging in social media support groups	Action-based coping “positive” strategies (e.g., seeking social support, physical activity)
Changes in health behaviors	Immobility concerns limiting some physical activity and prioritizing healthy eating as a result	Value for the importance of nutrition and physical activity post-treatment	Engaging in physical activity and healthy eating behaviors