The Adolescent with Cancer
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Transcript of The Adolescent with Cancer
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Psychological & Ethical Issues
Andrew McLeodRoyal Marsden Hospital
Conflicts of interest noneImages kindly provided by Teenage Cancer Trust, and Royal Marsden Teenage Cancer UnitPrior consent for public display given
The Adolescent with Cancer
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Cancer in Adolescence
Leading cause of non-accidental death 2,200 new cases in UK per year (TCT statistic)
Gap between adult and paediatric services
Bad time to receive a cancer diagnosis
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Adolescence
Transition to adulthood Rapid bodily changes Important brain growth and development
Emergence of…. Identity, personality and orientation Intellect, emotional maturity and values Autonomy and place in society
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Things Can be Difficult Peer group approval and image are vital
Invincible but acutely self-conscious
Independent but without resources
Misunderstood and patronised
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Adolescence 2013www & social mediaHand held devicesReady availability of drugs and alcohol
Early milestonesPressure to succeedLess supervision
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Psychological Problems
Eating disorders (4 - 8%)
Substance abuse and risk taking
Depression and self harm (5-15%)
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Cancer in Adolescence
Mixed tumour types – adult & paediatric
Reduced survival prospects Aggressive tumour behaviour Later presentation / lower adherence
Adolescent transition process disrupted
Barr RD. Cancer Treat Rev 2007; 33: 597-602
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Normal Life Suspended
Isolation from school and social life Unable to participate in sport and recreation Threats to school achievements or career
Loss of confidence with peers Hair loss, implanted lines and bodily changes Personal relationships suffer
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Reliance on Others Independence challenged by need for
Help in decision making Emotional and psychological support Practical assistance, e.g. transport
Greater reliance on family for support Disruption of social development Threat to long term family relations
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Too Much to Cope With?
Issues beyond a teenager’s maturity Frightening diagnosis Important treatment decisions Prospect of death or shortened life
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Low Self Esteem
Discovering who you are Liking and valuing who you are Preserving self worth during cancer
Evan. Cancer 2006; 107: 1672-1679
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Disengagement
Questioning all forms of authority Withdrawal and non-communication Non-cooperation or refusal
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Depression & Anxiety
More intense than matched controls Significant symptoms will require treatment Preoperative anxiety common but unreported
Abrams Cancer Treat Rev 2007; 33: 622-630
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Specific Challenges of Cancer
Adherence to treatment
Fertility preservation
End of life issues
Survivorship
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Treatment Adherence Poor adherence 27% – 60%
Lack of organisation and support Side effects or constraints on lifestyle Alternative beliefs about treatment
Refusal is less common but challenging Self harm or risk taking behaviour? Symptom of deeper problems
Kondryn et al. Lancet Oncol 2011; 12: 100-108.
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Fertility and the Future Techniques to store eggs / sperm for
future use can be difficult and sensitive
Difficult issues for adolescents, parents (and oncologists) to discuss
Consent must come from the adolescent – refusal will be difficult to manage
Bahadur Human Reproduction 2001 16 188-93
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Facing Death 25% of adolescents will not survive cancer
Decisions may need to be made about Limits to treatment End of life care for the patient and family
Patients have DNAR orders in place
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Survivorship Physical effects (10%)
Cardiac and respiratory Functional & fertility impairment
Psychological Cognitive deficit / delay Anxiety problems e.g. PTSD (up to 20%)
Social Challenge of re-integration Disrupted education & career plans
Desandes Cancer Treatment Reviews 2007 33 609-15
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Ethical Issues
Establishing best interests
A conflict of ethical duties
Opposing wishes of adolescent and family
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What are Best Interests? Optimum physical, mental & social good
Who can judge; who can foresee the future?
Additional life at what price? Burdens, and distress of treatment Chance of improved or longer life
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Conflict of Duties
Respect for autonomy
Beneficence / not doing harm
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The Triangle of Consent
Respect for the adolescent’s autonomy
Parental viewsand authority
Beneficence /not doing harm
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Some Dilemmas 15 yr old boy refusing to store sperm
16 yr old girl becomes pregnant
Parents want to try alternative treatment
17yr old refusing any further treatment
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Strategies & Solutions
Facilitating care
Enhancing participation
Involving the family
Resolving refusal
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Facilitating care
Adolescent units provide contact with peers Age appropriate resources, and privacy
Therapies & interventions Music, art, counselling or CBT
Specific requirements for care Maintaining normality as far as possible
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Participation
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Participation Active sense of participation
Potential benefits for empowerment & adherence Must always be genuine, not token
Adolescents need true information Teenagers may be very well-informed Information may be distressing or unintelligible Parents may disagree on what to tell adolescents
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The Role of the Family
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Role of The Family Family coping strategy is critical
Parental stress & anxiety also high Responses may worsen isolation or stress
Exposure of family tensions and rifts
Family therapy programs may help
Evan Cancer 2006; 107: 1663-1671
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Treatment Refusal
17 year old refusing vascular access procedure for leukaemia treatment
Social problems, drugs, & depression Despite mother’s consent, declared he
would abscond (@ 18) or pull out line…
From McCabe MA. (1996) Journal of Pediatric Psychology
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Consent by Young People Parental consent valid up to 18 years
Young Persons 16 -18 yrs can give effective consent to medical treatment Family Law Reform Act [1969]
Gillick v West Norfolk and Wisbech AHA [1985] Children under 16 may give consent without parents Maturity to understanding risks & benefits of treatment Treatment must be in the young person’s best interests
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Making Medical Decisions Reasoning and decision making skills
14 yr olds match adults (hypothetical scenarios) Medical decisions involve concepts of;
Normal bodily function, Illness & death Causation, risk and trade off Stability of beliefs and desires
Emotional maturity and courageWeithorne & Campbell 1982
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Competence is Decision Specific
Individual basis for assessment [GMC 2007] Complexity of decision Gravity of risks & consequences of refusal Current state of health & emotions Present environment and circumstances
Refusal of care? “ the law on parents overriding young people’s competent refusal is complex. You should seek legal advice if you think treatment is in the best interests of a competent young person who refuses”. [GMC guidance]
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Law on Refusal by Minors Law’s silence on refusal by minors does not
constitute an endorsement [Lord Balcombe, Re W [1993]
16 yrs anorexic girl refusing transfer to EDU Anorexia had removed capacity for rational decisions
Parental consent is a sufficient ‘flak jacket’ for doctorsLord Donaldson Re W [1993]
Child of 15yrs refusing blood due to beliefs Judge overruled, concluding “I find that he has no realisation
of the full implications which lie before him as to the process of dying” Re E (a minor) [1993]
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Law on Refusal by Minors
Young persons views will increasingly be respected where they have experience & understanding of disease, and where refusal would be difficult to override.
Courts unlikely to authorise distressing treatment which has only a small prospect of saving life.
Hannah Jones (13yrs) convinced child protection officers that her prior treatment gave her sufficient insight to refuse a heart transplant.
Johnston C, (2009) When no means no. Arch Dis Childhood
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Respecting Autonomy
Harm from overriding adolescent’s wishes Clinical Psychological Ethical
Use of force is unlikely to be successful!
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Conflict of Duties
Respect for autonomy
Beneficence / not doing harm
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Absolute Refusal Psychological evaluation & therapy
Competence, understanding, independence
Clinical Ethics Committee
Court Review 2nd opinion, support for difficult decisions
Referral to another centre
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Anaesthetists Can Help!
Understand the challenges for adolescents
Reduce the fear and pain of treatment
Allow choice over anaesthetic technique
Provide a fresh voice to the oncology MDT
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Summary
Challenges of cancer for adolescents
Significant psychological & ethical issues
Anaesthetists as part of the whole team working for adolescents and their families
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Thank You
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Family Seeks Alternative Treatment
16yr old boy with osteosarcoma recurrence
Parents sought alternative therapy outside UK
Patient’s wishes were uncertain
Team concerned that boy was under pressure
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Refusal of Treatment
17yr old with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Refused full staging investigations Dictated care throughout treatment Disputed medical opinion Continued to refuse further care