About Cancer in adolescents and young adults
The adolescent and young adult (AYA) patient population refers to patients ranging from ages 15-39. While cancer incidence in AYAs has increased more than any other age group, the survival rates have not. Cancer remains the leading disease-related cause of death among young adults.
Each year, approximately 70,000 adolescents and young adults are diagnosed with cancer in the U.S.
AYA cancer patients account for about 5% of cancer diagnoses each year.
One AYA is diagnosed with cancer approximately every seven minutes.
AYAs also face distinct, unique, and age-specific challenges while fighting cancer, including infertility, insurance coverage, financial hardship, stalled education or career development, isolation, and loss of identity. While many hospitals and institutions are on the leading edge of innovation in the medical front of finding effective cures to and treatments for cancer, most institutions lack psychosocial services to support and connect AYAs.
We need you
With your help, we can raise awareness about this important patient population, and help connect them in a supportive community.