Pingault O, Moskal A, Bouvard C, Payet C, Havet A, Faure-Conter C, Viprey M, Rousset-Jablonski C.
BMJ Open . 2025 Dec 31;15(12):e108897.
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-108897.
PMID: 41475832
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess whether gynaecological follow-ups among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors are less compliant with recommendations than those without a history of AYA cancer.
Design: A retrospective national cohort study with exposed-unexposed design was conducted using the French National Health Data System.
Setting: The exposed group included AYAs who underwent cancer treatment in France between 2012 and 2014 and was matched in a 1:1 ratio with the unexposed group of AYAs without cancer or chronic disease.
Participants: A total of 7312 AYAs initiated cancer treatment during the specified period. After applying exclusion criteria, 3663 AYAs were matched to unexposed AYAs.
Primary and secondary outcomes measures: The primary outcome was compliance with gynaecological follow-up recommendations, including gynaecological consultation, sexually transmitted infections screening and cervical cancer screening. Secondary outcomes involved assessing each component of the follow-up, along with human papillomavirus vaccination coverage.
Results: Exposed AYAs were significantly more likely to comply with gynaecological follow-up guidelines, with a compliance rate of 23.2%, compared with 16.5% among unexposed AYAs (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.36 to 1.70; p<0.001). When each component of the primary outcome was analysed separately, compliance rates remained significantly higher among those exposed than among those unexposed AYAs. Regarding human papillomavirus vaccination, exposed AYAs displayed higher coverage, with a significantly greater proportion having initiated a catch-up schedule (28.1% vs 18.5%).
Conclusion: AYA cancer survivors were more likely to have gynaecological follow-up compliant with recommendations, including gynaecological consultations, sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer screenings.
Keywords: Adolescent; Cancer; Human Papillomavirus Viruses; Papillomavirus Vaccines; Sexually Transmitted Disease.
