Autism and ADHD in Child and Young Adult Cancer Survivors (Version 1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Childhood, Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: Identifying the care gap.
IRAS ID
353624
Contact name
Martin McCabe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
In the UK, almost 4000 children, teenagers and young adults are diagnosed with cancer each year. Due to advances in treatment, the majority of young people affected survive into adulthood. Understanding the late effects of cancer and its treatment is therefore crucially important.
Research has examined the likelihood of mental illness (such as depression and anxiety) and specific cognitive difficulties (such as challenges with attention and working memory) in young people who have had cancer. However, despite social and concentration difficulties being commonly reported, fewer studies have examined the likelihood of young people with cancer having co-occurring neurodevelopmental conditions, specifically autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
There are several possible mechanisms for an association between cancer and neurodevelopmental conditions, including shared genetic variants and molecular signalling pathways, and the effect of the cancer or its treatments on neurodevelopment. Autism and ADHD are likely to be under-recognised, with symptoms attributed to the cancer or treatment effects. It is important to recognise neurodevelopmental conditions because delays in diagnosis can adversely impact mental health, social, educational and occupational progress. Added to this, these are areas in which young people surviving cancer can sometimes struggle with.
This study is funded by The Christie Charity. It aims to recruit both young adults and parents of children who have survived cancer across the North West of England. Through the Development and Wellbeing Assessment (DAWBA), we can gauge the proportion of young people with cancer who have a high likelihood of autism/ADHD, alongside other mental health conditions. This will highlight whether there is a ‘gap’ between the estimated prevalence of cases of autism and ADHD in young people who have had cancer, and the likely true prevalence. It will provide a case for designing longitudinal cohort studies, streamlining care pathways and improved recognition of neurodevelopmental conditions.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0187
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion