Supporting Adolescents and Young Adults with Medication Adherence during Cancer Treatment
Published on in CHOP News
Published on in CHOP News
When a child or adolescent/young adult (AYA) is diagnosed with cancer, they are often asked to take many different medications when at home. For example, they may be prescribed medications to treat cancer (i.e., oral chemotherapies), medications to help prevent infection, and/or medications to help alleviate side effects from treatment such as nausea.
Even with the best intentions, missing medications is incredibly common. This can be especially true for AYA, who may be learning how to be independent with medications for the first time or want their lives to be as normal and medication-free as possible. Other barriers to medication adherence can include forgetting, difficulties swallowing pills, not liking the taste of medications, undesirable medication side effects, family miscommunications, and issues with insurance or a pharmacy.
If you and your family are struggling with medication adherence during cancer treatment, you are not alone. The first step to getting help is to have an honest discussion with your CHOP oncology team about these challenges. They are here to listen and support you, not judge or criticize. The team at the Oncology Psychosocial Services Program, including child life specialists, social workers and psychologists, can help provide resources and strategies for promoting adherence.
Here are 10 evidence-based strategies for supporting AYA with medication adherence:
This program is made possible by funding from the Mattie Miracle Cancer Foundation.