Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) and includes 70,000 new cancer diagnosis each year in the US. The most common cancers in AYAs include: lymphoma, leukemia, testicular, melanoma, central nervous system, sarcomas, breast, cervical, thyroid, and colorectal. Though the number of cancer survivors is increasing, 5-year survival rates for AYA cancer survivors have stagnated and improvements are lagging behind children and older adults. Unfortunately, this makes AYAs an underserved population in oncology and to achieve cancer health equity, greater focus needs to be placed on their unique needs.

Disparities experienced by AYA patients with cancer that have led to poor outcomes and lack of progress over the years include high rates of un- and under-insured, differences in disease biology, delayed diagnosis and treatment, increased toxicities, lower socioeconomic status, low participation in clinical trials, unique supportive care needs, and overall lack of awareness in the medical field as to the special needs of this population. Additionally, AYA cancer occurs in the context of a critical period in human development and may be especially disruptive given unique emotional and social life changes that take place in adolescents and young adults such as, becoming more independent, exploring their sexuality, forming their own worldview and making decisions about higher education, careers, and family.

Spurred by AYA cancer patients and survivors, health care providers and the oncology community have begun to recognize the unique medical, social and emotional needs of AYA patients. Getting support to meet those needs is critical for enabling AYAs to adapt and cope as they navigate the course of their illness and beyond and to ultimately improve quality of care and health outcomes among AYAs. 

The 2 ^nd Annual North Carolina Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Symposium, on April 5 ^th , 2019 brought together multidisciplinary providers and researchers from across the state interested in improving care for this patient population. Jointly provided by Wake Forest Baptist Health Comprehensive Cancer Center and UNC Health Sciences MAHEC in collaboration with UNC Lineberger and the Duke Cancer Institute, the symposium focused on the unique palliative and end-of-life care needs of AYAs in North Carolina and featured keynote speaker Abby R. Rosenberg, MD, MS, MA Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington. Next year’s 3 ^rd annual symposium will be hosted by the Duke Cancer Institute- stay tuned!