Scholastic performance is a key concern for young cancer patients, UF study finds

Young patients with cancer need support when it comes to scholastic performance, which can be an empowering and motivating force during the challenges of cancer treatment, UF Health Cancer Center researchers have found.

The study, presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2025 Annual Meeting, identified four areas of support that need to be integrated into adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer care: help with obtaining school accommodations, support with losing extracurricular activities that play a role in identity formation, navigating a disruption in their academic trajectory including career trajectory, and losing their connection to peers.

“These four areas are support gaps that AYAs, parent caregivers and clinicians all agree are direly needed,” said lead author Carla L. Fisher, Ph.D., M.S.W., a professor in the Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics and a member of the UF Health Cancer Center. “Parents and AYAs also noted that scholastic opportunities are motivating and empowering and thus critical to their well-being. That further supports the need to attend to scholastic performance in AYA oncology care.”