Online Psychological Interventions Help Young Cancer Survivors

Young adults who have overcome cancer often face difficulties in returning to a normal life after their treatments. Psychological disorders frequently emerge in late adolescence, a period when personal development challenges add to the stress caused by the illness. To address these needs, an online psychological intervention has been designed to teach coping skills and promote resilience among these young people.

This intervention, developed by a team of experts including individuals who have experienced this themselves, uses cognitive-behavioral therapy strategies. It aims to reduce post-cancer distress by helping participants acquire tools to better manage their daily lives. Previous studies have demonstrated its effectiveness, safety, and ability to strengthen peer support while reducing cancer-related problems.

However, the lack of mental health professionals in pediatric oncology services limits its deployment in hospitals. Community organizations, outside the healthcare system, offer an alternative to expand access to this type of support. These structures already provide resources and interventions to help survivors and their families.

To evaluate its integration into these organizations, interviews were conducted with staff members before and after implementation. The main obstacles identified include staff turnover and difficulties in recruiting participants. Conversely, staff training, organizational support, and good communication between partners facilitated the process.

The COVID-19 pandemic played an ambiguous role: it both complicated implementation due to restrictions, but also made young people more open to online solutions. Young people, already familiar with digital tools for their studies, adopted this format more readily than some staff members, who were less accustomed to this way of working.

The results show that psychological programs can be effectively delivered online by trained professionals, even in community settings. Thorough training, strong communication between partners, and a supportive culture within organizations are essential to ensure the success of these interventions. Recruiting participants remains a major challenge, as does team stability.

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Reference Document

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-026-10867-9

Title: Barriers and facilitators to implementing an online psychological intervention for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors in a community setting

Journal: Supportive Care in Cancer

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Elin Irestorm; Claire E. Wakefield; Rachel Houweling; Kate Hetherington; Brittany C. McGill; Fiona E. J. McDonald; Richard J. Cohn; Ursula M. Sansom-Daly