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Young Adults With Cancer

There is a belief that cancer rarely affects young adults. In reality, cancer does affect young adults and much more often than thought. Currently, there is a lack of resources dealing with young adult and cancer. They neither fit into the pediatric or the geriatric groups. Young adults are starting university or college, starting a career, creating new relationships, or starting a family.  Resources need to become available that deal with the specific needs of young adults.  Approximately 70,000 Americans aged 15-40 will be diagnosed with cancer each year and 10,000 of them will not survive. Cancer incidence in young adutls has doubled over the past 30 years.  Compared to other age groups, statistics for young adult survival rates have not improved in 30 years.  That is a VERY long time especially since they have improved for pediatrics and geriatrics.  The five year survival rates for young adults is in the 60% range while for children and older adults is in the 80% range.  There is also a stigma attached to having cancer and this could increase the isolation of young adults dealing with cancer.  There is also the belief that young adults do not get sick and definitely do not get cancer.  This belief hinders people from seeing a doctor.  More education and awareness are needed which could help with research and early detection.

Many organizations are now arising that specifically deal with young adults and cancer.  Be sure to check out their website by clicking on their link below.  They are filled with great resources and information.

 

www.i2y.org  (I'm Too Young For This)

 

www.planetcancer.com  (Planet Cancer)

 

www.youngadultcancer.ca  (Young Adult Cancer Canada)

 

www.ulmanfund.org  (The Ulman Cancer Fund For Young Adults)

 

www.livestrong.org  (Livestrong Young Adult Alliance)

 

www.masskickers.com (Mass Kickers)

 

www.youngsurvival.org  (Young Survival Coalition)

 

www.vitaloptions.org  (Vital Options)

 

www.youngcancerspouses.org  (Young Cancer Spouses)

 

www.sarcoma.com  (Kristen Ann Carr Fund Sarcoma Forum)

 

www.seventyk.org  (Seventy K)

 

www.yacn.ca  (Young Adult Cancer Network)

 

www.nylifelab.org  (The Lifelab)


For more information please contact your doctor.