Young female survivors of childhood leukaemia do not have increased somatic concerns.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined whether experience of cancer in childhood leaves a hypersensitivity to various somatic symptoms. Further, are self-reported somatic symptoms explained by medical late-effects or a worry of recurrence of the cancer?

METHODS

Of the total of 44 female survivors of leukaemia, 42 were compared with 69 age-matched healthy controls. We used a questionnaire to study self reported somatic symptoms and a face-to-face interview to explore worries about recurrence of the illness. Health status and medical late effects were evaluated by a paediatric haematologist.

RESULTS

In contrast to our assumptions, young survivors of leukaemia reported fewer somatic symptoms than healthy age-matched comparison subjects (p < 0.001). Late physical sequelae were uncommon except in the survivors of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Of the survivors, 52% were afraid of recurrence of the illness. The presence of physical or visible impairment and worry of recurrence were unrelated to frequency of somatic symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that experience of childhood leukaemia and its treatment does not result in increased somatic concerns or hypochondriacal tendencies.