TOWARD AN AYA CANCER CARE & SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR BC/YUKON

Graphic Recording by Nellie Yee

“We are facing an epidemic of early onset cancer.” Nature 2022

“Rates of AYA cancers have increased 79% since 1990.” British Medical Journal 2023

Significant headway is being made to co-design an adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer care and support program for BC/Yukon - one that meets the distinct needs prioritized by those navigating cancer between ages 15-39. Efforts to solidify the key components of this program included a collaborative session at the BC Cancer Summit last November (see graphic recording above created by AYA Nellie Yee) where a record 32 AYAs from throughout BC/Yukon came together with 50+ clinicians, care providers and researchers to map out the content and structure of the ideal AYA cancer care and support program. 

Building on research with AYAs and healthcare providers led by the Anew Research Collaborative at Royal Roads University, the session was co-facilitated by BC Cancer, BC Children’s Hospital and Anew, and featured leaders of well-established AYA programs in Manitoba and Ontario, sharing development paths for their programs and expertise to ensure effective and sustainable program development for BC/Yukon. Session participants then engaged in small group discussions exploring options to effectively provide patient navigation, peer and virtual support and survivorship care, and to address a myriad of other unmet needs such as financial and family support, support for mental and sexual health and so on. The knowledge and insights gained from this session complement those in established AYA priority areas of oncofertility and AYA specific counselling and resources. 

Consolidated efforts are moving forward to develop a comprehensive program plan involving areas of focus to be led by the acute care system, by primary care, by community-based support and by AYAs themselves. Momentum and optimism have never been higher!

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