The Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis at the relatively young age of 42 brought attention to the realities of being diagnosed with cancer as a younger person. By definition, adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are people diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 and 39. In Canada, there are more cancer diagnoses in this age group than ever before: nearly 8,300 diagnoses each year , or one AYA diagnosed every 65 minutes.
However, there is limited understanding and support for the distinct medical and psychosocial complexities adolescents and young adults face, and cancer care systems rarely support the unique needs of patients in these age groups . What is known is that cancer is different for adolescents and young adults than it is for children or older adults. However, only 0.
4 per cent of all cancer research funding focuses on young adult cancer. Cancer diagnoses in young people often occur at a later stage with poorer outcomes and lower survival rates compared to older age groups Further, a recent report in the journal of Nature questions if early onset cancer is a global epidemic. “It’s a strange experience facing mortality at an age where the world assumes we’re vivacious.
Having cancer as a young person changes you in profound ways.” ~young adult navigating cancer Not only are patients in this age group navigating the challenges of facing a life-altering cancer diagnosis, they are also often navigating other challenges distinct to their life stage. They m.
