Understanding and Meeting the Unique Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) face poorer cancer outcomes and experiences compared with younger and older patients, and they historically have been lost between pediatric and adult models of oncology care. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is committed to providing up-to-date guidance on treating AYA patients with cancer to improve their outcomes. In this episode of CANCER BUZZ, a team from the University of North Carolina (UNC) AYA Oncology Program shares how it's meeting the unique needs of this patient population by providing developmentally appropriate cancer care through a multidisciplinary approach, including clinical trial access and interactive infusion space; sharing resources where AYAs need additional support; and developing education about fertility and the short- and long-term impacts of cancer. "We talk about things like sleep, mental health, diet, exercise, knowing all of those aspects of life have been impacted by cancer and its treatment, and in order to have the best quality of life and best outcomes, we need to pay attention to all of those aspects of an AYA survivors' life." – Andrew Smitherman, MD, MS "We know that AYAs are one of the most underinsured or uninsured populations in the United States, and so that means often they are at least initially facing these diagnoses without any insurance at all to help defray the costs." – Jacob Stein, MD, MPH "My approach [for talking about long term effects] is that patients want to be able to have the opportunity to receive information." – Alison Manikowski, PsyD Read the full article here. Guests Andrew Smitherman, MD, MSc AYA Medical Director Pediatric Oncologist UNC Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterChapel Hill, NC   Jacob Stein, MD, MPH AYA Oncology Liaison Medical Oncologist UNC Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterChapel Hill, NC   Alison Manikowski, PsyDAYA Program Pediatric Psychologist UNC Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterChapel Hill, NC Resources:  UNC AYA Cancer Program ACCC AYA Resources