“COVID Is Hard. Cancer Is Harder.”: A Qualitative Study of Young Adults Diagnosed with Cancer During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic compounded unique challenges for adolescents and young adults with cancer (AYAs). Receiving a cancer diagnosis during this period may create further challenges to accessing care, support, and managing stressors. We explored AYAs' experiences of coping with a cancer diagnosis in the context of the pandemic. METHODS: AYAs (ages 18-39 years) were recruited nationally, completed a brief online survey, and participated in one of six online focus groups from March 2022 to October 2022. We analyzed transcripts using both deductive and inductive coding to identify themes. RESULTS: Ten AYAs received a cancer diagnosis between 2020 and 2021 and participated in focus groups. Participants were all female and non-Hispanic White. Common themes were delays in diagnosis and restricted treatment options, compounded fear of cancer diagnosis and risk of COVID-19, and psychological distress and management of cancer and the pandemic. AYAs also discussed unexpected advantages arising from the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Isolation, health care protocols that limited family involvement, and the emotional and mental health impacts of the pandemic have created additional challenges for newly diagnosed AYAs to navigate. Our findings have implications for AYAs' health care beyond a pandemic, especially for those who may require physical isolation to manage health risks.