Background

Each year in Australia approximately 1200 young people aged 15 to 25 are diagnosed with cancer. Unlike younger children who are treated in age-specific and highly specialised oncology treatment settings, the vast majority of these patients will be treated within the adult health system. In Victoria, over 90% of the 300 AYA patients diagnosed each year are likely to be treated at one of Victorias 67 different adult treatment centres.

The treatment of these young people in adult focused services, poses a number of challenges within the healthcare system, where the average age of cancer patients is generally accepted to be above the age of 50 years. These include the:

• low level of participation in clinical trials
• different cancer types seen in the AYA population group compared to those diagnosed in adulthood
• limited access to supportive care clinicians trained in adolescent health and development
• limited training, education and support for healthcare professionals across services in the unique physical, emotional, social and psychological needs of young people
• relative absence of age-based peers resulting in young people undergoing cancer treatment experiencing feelings isolation

However, the needs of this population group have begun to receive attention in Victoria through the establishment of the onTrac@PeterMac Victorian Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Service. This unique service model is based on the integration of research and clinical service development offering young people access to the most current cancer therapies and clinical trials whilst providing the most comprehensive developmentally targeted psychological, social and emotional support.