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What is AYA?

AYA cancer patients and survivors face a unique array of challenges each and every day. Major life milestones that are tricky for all young people – like starting a career, finishing college, or finding a romantic partner – can feel impossible when cancer is thrown into the mix...

AYAs are more likely to receive a late diagnosis or to be misdiagnosed, compared to other age groups. Patients, and even their doctors, often don’t consider cancer because of how “rare” it is for this age group (tell that to the 89,500 of them diagnosed this year). Not to mention the high amount of uninsured or underinsured AYAs

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Featured

  Young patients turn to blogs to make cancer public

Cancer can be a frightening and isolating illness. Three young people explain how writing a blog helps them to explore their feelings about what it's like to live with the disease.

 When the Teenager or Young Adult Has Cancer

Adolescents and young adults, which in medicine we define as ages 15 to 39, are a special population of patients with respect to the types of cancers they commonly get and the biology of those cancers. They also have distinct concerns from older or younger cancer patients, including unique issues surrounding their emerging identities, body image and autonomy. They are caught in the no-man’s land between being treated by adult oncologists, who may not be sensitive to these concerns, or by pediatric oncologists, where they may feel out of place sitting in an infusion chair receiving treatment next to a child.

Articles of Interest

Lessons Learned from Being a Young Adult Cancer Survivor

Cancer changed my life in a way that is difficult to put into words. Diagnosed at 21 with bone cancer, I underwent aggressive chemo and surgery that replaced part of my femur and tibia with titanium.

Meeting the unique needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer

Allison Rosenthal, D.O., a Mayo Clinic hematologist-oncologist, is uniquely qualified to understand and lead a program addressing the needs of adolescents and young adults (AYAs), those between ages 15 and 39, with cancer. "I have some experience sitting in that seat — with being in their shoes," she says.

My Perfect Life and Now - How Cancer Changes Perspective

I had always been healthy. I took it for granted. Why wouldn’t I be healthy? I don’t smoke, I don’t do drugs, I don’t even drink coffee, I don’t have allergies, and I definitely don’t stand in front of the microwave. Sure, wine, burritos, pizza, and pineapple fried rice are definitely on the weekly rotation but whatever, I work out. I’ve been a runner since forever. What’s the worst that could happen to me? Cancer? It never even crossed my mind.

One of The Deadliest Cancers for Young Adults is on the Rise

Young-onset colorectal cancer has increased by 51% since 1994, according to the National Cancer Institute. (With colorectal cancer, “young-onset” is anyone under the age of 50). Projections for the future are even more disconcerting, with colon cancer expected to double and rectal cancer expected to triple in this age group by 2030. Several recent studies have attempted to identify the reason for this increase. Researchers hypothesize one likely cause appears to be changes to the gut microbiome caused by a diet high in processed foods, fat and red meat, and decreased fiber.

Why Are Cancer Rates Increasing Among Young Adults?

In the United States, colorectal cancer and breast cancer are among the most rapidly increasing cancers in younger populations and represent the most common cancers in men and women, respectively, between ages 18 and 49.

Young Adult Blood Cancers

Getting a cancer diagnosis when your whole life is still ahead of you can be scary, upsetting and overwhelming.

Young adults with cancer speak about balancing hope and risk

We’re studying end-of-life care for young adults with cancer, for example the intensity of care, especially in the last 14 to 30 days of life, using data from across the country.

Resources

Shine Cancer Support

Shine is the only UK charity that support adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s who have experienced a cancer diagnosis. There is never a good time to have cancer, but we know that younger adults face different issues than their older or younger counterparts. Many of these are not dealt with by traditional cancer support charities and services.

Stupid Cancer

Welcome to the club you didn’t ask to join. We're here to make it all suck a little less and help you get busy living.

Ulman Foundation

We envision a world where no young adult faces cancer alone.

Young Adult Cancer Canada

Our mission is to support young adults living with, through, and beyond cancer. To be the connection to peers, bridge out of isolation, and source of inspiration. Every cancer, every stage, YACC’s got your back.

Young Adult Cancer Connection

Ever been the youngest person in the oncology waiting room? Meet others who can relate.

Young Survival Coalition

Fight fear with knowledge. Take it from young adults who've been there.

Bright Pink

Our mission is to accelerate, deepen, and expand the impact of life-saving breast and ovarian health interventions.

CancerFightClub

CancerFightClub is a Hope & Cope grassroots initiative made up of committed young adult cancer community members (fighters, survivors, lifers, supporters and professionals) from across Montreal and Quebec (Canada).

Cancerversity

Cancerversity is a multimedia platform that provides information, support, and inclusivity for young women of color and caregivers coping with the adversities of Young Adult Cancer. While the site is all-inclusive, it is especially targeted to young WOC who are underrepresented and disproportionately affected by Young Adult Cancers.

Canteen

Cancer changes everything. Connect with others who get you 24/7.

CoppaFeel

We’re here to help everyone stand the best possible chance of surviving breast cancer by educating you on the importance of getting to know your boobs and pecs!

Dear Jack Foundation

Our vision is to be a national leader in adolescent and young adult cancer programming, by giving patients, survivors, and their caregivers a community and support rooted in mental and physical wellness based tools and resources from diagnosis through survivorship.

Pink Pearl

Pink Pearl was conceived by ovarian cancer survivor Elise Gasbarrino. While undergoing cancer treatment in her early twenties, Elise felt certain elements were missing from her experience—a way to connect with women her age facing the same issues, and a means for them to conquer their issues together. Her vision transformed into Pink Pearl, a charitable organization made up of a small team...

Rethink Breast Cancer

You aren’t average and we aren’t your average charity. Rethink educates, empowers and advocates for people worldwide who are affected by breast cancer through boldfaced campaigns, content, programs and resources. Are you in?

Samfund

Here at The Samfund, we are proud to provide support to young adults who are struggling financially because of cancer. Through direct financial assistance and free online support and education, we help young adults survive and move forward with their lives after cancer.

Sharsheret

Sharsheret, a national non-profit organization, improves the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer through personalized support and saves lives through educational outreach.

Teen Cancer America

Increasing survival and improving the lives of adolescent and young adults with cancer by transforming hospitals to better serve their needs.

Teenage Cancer Trust

We make sure young people have someone in their corner right from the start. Our nurses and youth workers walk with young people from diagnosis through every step of their treatment, and for up to two years afterwards, so that they can recover and live life to the full.

Tigerlily Foundation

Tigerlily Foundation is a national breast cancer foundation providing education, awareness, advocacy and hands-on support to young women (15-45) – before, during and after breast cancer.

Trekstock

Cancer in your 20s or 30s? Whatever type, whatever stage, we'll get you connected, moving and feeling more like you again.

13thirty Cancer Connect

At 13thirty Cancer Connect, AYAs build a new peer community of others who understand, in a way no one else can. From the minute AYAs walk through our door, they feel “at home” because everyone “gets it.”

5 Under Forty

We are dedicated to providing medical, beauty, wellness and educational funded services to women under the age of 40 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or have a BRCA mutation.

ACPMP Research Foundation

Our mission is to fund and support promising research to find a cure for Appendix Cancer, Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP), and related Peritoneal Surface Malignancies (PSM), and to fund educational programs for physicians and patients about these diseases.

DetecTogether

DetecTogether is a non-profit education and advocacy organization located in Westborough, Mass. It was founded to address an unmet need in the cancer world. While it is undisputed that early cancer detection leads to the best health outcomes, no one was teaching people how to identify early warning signs of cancer

Keep A Breast Foundation

Our mission is to reduce breast cancer risk and its impact globally through art, education, prevention, and action.

Society for Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology

The Society for Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (SAYAO) is an international professional organization dedicated to improving adolescent and young adult cancer care through the promotion of interdisciplinary research, education, communication, and collaboration among health professionals.

Vital Options International

Vital Options International has expanded its mission to become a global health foundation focused on health education, supporting the financial needs of qualified patients and their families and giving patients and caregivers a voice through community and advocacy.

CancerCare

CancerCare provides free, professional support services for young adults affected by cancer, as well as cancer information and additional resources.