Advance Care Planning for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: A Retrospective Case Note Audit from a Regional Specialist Center in the United Kingdom

J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2021 Aug;10(4):493-496. doi: 10.1089/jayao.2020.0149. Epub 2020 Dec 21.

Abstract

The extent of Advance Care Planning (ACP) among Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer patients is not well characterized. This retrospective case note audit scrutinized the records of all AYA patients (aged 16-25 years) known to a regional specialist center in the United Kingdom, and who died between 2013 and 2019, for evidence of ACP. Eighty-four patients were included. ACP was identified for 67% of patients. Sixty-four percent expressed a preferred place of death; actual place of death reflected this in 65% of cases. Creation of a bespoke document may help to standardize ACP and improve end-of-life care.

Keywords: adolescent and young adult; advance care planning; cancer; end-of-life; palliative.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Advance Care Planning*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Terminal Care*
  • United Kingdom
  • Young Adult