Young Adults’ Experiences of Life After Lymphoma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Living Beyond Lymphoma: A Qualitative Study of Young Adults' Post-treatment Experiences
IRAS ID
358787
Contact name
Emma Vines
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 20 days
Research summary
This qualitative study explores the experiences of young adults who have finished treatment for lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the immune system.
Lymphoma includes two main types: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is one of the most common cancers in young people aged 18 to 30 in the UK. Advances in treatment have improved survival, but many young people go on to face significant emotional, physical, and social challenges once treatment ends.
Finishing treatment does not always mean life goes back to normal. Many young adults experience long-term side effects such as physical and cognitive difficulties. They may also feel isolated, anxious about cancer returning, or struggle to navigate work, education, and relationships after cancer. Although this period is widely recognised as challenging, research and clinical interventions specifically targeting this group remain limited.
This study asks two main questions:
1. How do young adults with lymphoma experience the transition from treatment to follow-up care and beyond?
2. What types of resources and support do young adults with lymphoma need to feel empowered and supported in navigating their lives after treatment?The study will involve 12–15 young adults aged 18-35 who finished treatment for lymphoma in the past ten years. Participants will be recruited through the Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Cancer Psychology Service at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT). Each participant will be invited to complete a short questionnaire and participate in an interview that will last approximately an hour to talk about their experiences. Qualitative data will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes.
Findings will provide insights into post-treatment challenges and offer practical recommendations to improve psychosocial support for young adults during this transition.
This research is part of a doctoral project at King’s College London and is not funded by any external organisation.
REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/LO/0367
Date of REC Opinion
20 May 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion