Understanding and Transforming Cancer Care and Support with AYAs in Rural and Remote Communities through Meaningful Engagement and Co-Design

This Vancouver Foundation funded project will advance understanding of the unique needs and experiences of adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer who are from rural and remote communities.

The unique needs and experiences of adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15-39 and who are from rural and remote communities are not well understood or effectively addressed by cancer care systems. This project is designed to engage rural and remote AYAs and system actors who care for them to understand and improve cancer care and support for rural and remote AYAs. We will use creative arts-based and technological methods to facilitate a co-design process to identify, pilot, and evaluate actions to enhance cancer care and support for rural and remote AYAs. More equitable care and improved patient experiences and outcomes for rural and remote AYAs will result.