Identifying and addressing the needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer: summary of an Institute of Medicine workshop

Sharyl J Nass; Lynda K Beaupin; Wendy Demark-Wahnefried; Karen Fasciano; Patricia A Ganz; Brandon Hayes-Lattin; Melissa M Hudson; Brenda Nevidjon; Kevin C Oeffinger; Ruth Rechis; Lisa C Richardson; Nita L Seibel; Ashley W Smith

doi:10.1634/theoncologist.2014-0265

Identifying and addressing the needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer: summary of an Institute of Medicine workshop

Oncologist. 2015 Feb;20(2):186-95. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2014-0265. Epub 2015 Jan 7.

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Medicine, Washington, D.C., USA; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA; University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: School of Medicine & Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Oncology Nursing Society, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; LIVESTRONG Foundation, Austin, Texas, USA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA snass@nas.edu.
² Institute of Medicine, Washington, D.C., USA; Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA; University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA: School of Medicine & Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Oncology Nursing Society, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; LIVESTRONG Foundation, Austin, Texas, USA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Abstract

Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in adolescents and young adults (AYAs). This population faces many short- and long-term health and psychosocial consequences of cancer diagnosis and treatment, but many programs for cancer treatment, survivorship care, and psychosocial support do not focus on the specific needs of AYA cancer patients. Recognizing this health care disparity, the National Cancer Policy Forum of the Institute of Medicine convened a public workshop to examine the needs of AYA patients with cancer. Workshop participants identified many gaps and challenges in the care of AYA cancer patients and discussed potential strategies to address these needs. Suggestions included ways to improve access to care for AYAs, to deliver cancer care that better meets the medical and psychosocial needs of AYAs, to develop educational programs for providers who care for AYA cancer survivors, and to enhance the evidence base for AYAs with cancer by facilitating participation in research.

Keywords: Adolescent; Adverse effects; Cancer survivorship; Fertility preservation; Psychosocial aspects; Young adult.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Humans
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, U.S., Health and Medicine Division
Neoplasms / epidemiology*
Neoplasms / pathology
Neoplasms / psychology*
Survivors / psychology*
United States
Young Adult