Priority 1 from the Teenage and Young Adult Cancer PSP

UNCERTAINTY: What psychological support package improves psychological well-being, social functioning and mental health during and after treatment? (JLA PSP Priority 1)
Overall ranking 1
JLA question ID 0060/1
Explanatory note The top priority identified in this exercise reflects an increasing drive to focus on both physical and psychological health during and after cancer. It is increasingly recognised that a cancer diagnosis has serious implications for young people’s mental health but this has yet to be systematically investigated and how these young people are best supported is currently unknown.
Evidence

1) Muglia‐Wechsler, A, Bragado‐Alvarez, C, Hernandez‐Lloreda, Maria J. Effectiveness of psychological interventions intended to promote adjustment of children with cancer and their parents: an overview. Anales de Psicologia.2014;30(1):94‐104. http://revistas.um.es/analesps/article/view/149161 ; 2) Archer S, Buxton S, Sheffield D. The effect of creative psychological interventions on psychological outcomes for adult cancer patients: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.  Psycho‐Oncology.2015;24:1-10.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24953449 ; 3) Faller H, Schuler M, Richard M, Heckl U, Weis J, Kuffner R. Effects of psycho‐oncologic interventions on emotional distress and quality of life in adult patients with cancer: systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Clinical Oncology.2013;31(6):782‐793. http://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2011.40.8922  

These three reviews conclude that more research on psychological support interventions is needed.
Health Research Classification System category Cancer
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples What is the most effective way to deliver psychological support to this patient group? ~ What are the most effective ways of looking after young people with cancer from a mental health standpoint? ~ What are the most effective strategies to limit the emotional/mental health consequences associated with lengthy cancer treatments? ~ Living and surviving cancer - what measures can be put into place to help people psychologically live a filled life ~ Why is life so psychologically hard to deal with after cancer? ~ What is the best way to support TYA during their treatment particularly in relation to social relationships, employment and education ~ At what point in the cancer journey is psychological support most helpful? 
Submitted by 25 health professionals ~ 19 patients ~ 9 parent/carers ~ 3 relatives ~ 3 friends ~ 2 partners
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0060
PSP name Teenage and Young Adult Cancer
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP. 185  (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 19 January 2018