Opinion: Increasing Support and Awareness for AYAs With Cancer

AYA patients with cancer often face isolation and financial toxicity due to their diagnoses.

Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Awareness Month is recognized every April and serves as an opportunity to shed light on the unique challenges faced by AYAs diagnosed with cancer. The AYA cancer population is an often underserved and overlooked group, making awareness and increased opportunities for support incredibly important to improving psychosocial and medical outcomes for diagnosed individuals.

Unique Challenges Faced by AYAs with Cancer

AYA patients with cancer encounter medical, psychosocial, and survivorship challenges that can differ from those of pediatric or older adult populations. Many AYAs experience their diagnosis at a time when they are pursuing educational aspirations, entering the workforce, building relationships, or making family planning decisions.¹ A cancer diagnosis can disrupt these milestones, creating additional stress and uncertainty about the future.

Unlike pediatric patients, who often have strong familial support, or older adults who may have established financial stability and life partnerships, AYAs frequently navigate treatment while also trying to maintain independence. This population is also at an increased risk for financial toxicity due to factors like high healthcare costs and disruptions in employment or education due to treatment.² Additionally, fertility preservation is a significant concern, as cancer treatments can impact reproductive health, yet many AYAs are not provided with timely information about their family planning options.³

AYAs can struggle with fears of losing social connections and can face a lack of understanding from those around them due to differences in life stages caused by their diagnoses.⁴ Raising awareness and honoring AYA experiences throughout the month of April can help ensure that resources and support are emphasized and shared, especially with the specific and unique needs of this population.

Additionally, treatment side effects, including hair loss, weight changes, and scarring, can significantly impact self-confidence and identity, which can be compounded by a lack of support. Research shows that increased body image issues are tied to less time since diagnosis, lower post-traumatic support and social support, greater distress, and greater numbers of treatments received.⁵

Addressing Psychosocial Concerns

Nurses and social workers play a critical role in supporting AYAs navigating a cancer diagnosis and can promote AYA cancer awareness when engaging with patients and colleagues. Understanding the unique psychosocial concerns that AYAs face allows their medical teams to provide more effective, comprehensive, and holistic support. Some psychosocial impacts that those working with AYAs should be aware of include:

• Identity and Independence: Many AYAs are in a developmental stage where they are gaining autonomy. A cancer diagnosis can contribute to feeling less independent. Nurses and social workers can help AYA patients feel more independent by giving them choices and autonomy when possible.
• Body Image and Self-Esteem: Nurses and social workers can provide reassurance and resources for helping AYAs cope with changes to their identity.
• Fertility and Family Planning: Healthcare providers can play a role in initiating conversations about fertility preservation and directing patients to oncofertility specialists throughout the continuum of treatment.³

Supporting AYA Cancer Awareness in April

Providers working with AYAs can promote awareness month in April by:

• Engaging in advocacy to highlight the unique challenges of AYA patients.
• Encouraging AYA survivors to share their stories.
• Emphasizing the importance of reaching out for support through counseling, support groups, peer matching or joining AYA cancer-specific organizations.
• Encouraging other healthcare providers to educate themselves about AYA-specific needs.
• Promoting early detection and self-advocacy among AYAs to improve health outcomes.

By honoring AYA Cancer Awareness Month in April, nurses, social workers and other AYA care-team members can recognize and honor the resilience of this population and help them access the support they deserve. April is a time to reflect, support, and advocate for this community. However, efforts should not be limited to just 1 month. Through year-round continued education, advocacy, and compassionate care, providers can ensure that AYAs navigating a cancer diagnosis receive the support and resources they need throughout the continuum of their treatment and beyond.

References

1. Psychological effects of cancer in young and middle adulthood. American Psychological Association. July 1, 2024. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://www.apa.org/topics/behavioral-health/cancer-younger-adults
2. Di Giuseppe G, Pagalan L, Jetha A, Pechlivanoglou P, Pole JD. Financial toxicity among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: A systematic review of educational attainment, employment, and income. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2023;183:103914. doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.103914
3. Quinn G, Bleck J, Stern M. A review of the psychosocial, ethical, and legal considerations for discussing fertility preservation with adolescent and young adult cancer patients. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology. 2020;8(1):86-96. doi:10.1037/cpp0000298
4. Warner EL, Kent EE, Trevino KM, Parsons HM, Zebrack BJ, Kirchhoff AC. Social well-being among adolescents and young adults with cancer: A systematic review. Cancer. 2016;122(7):1029-1037. doi:10.1002/cncr.29866
5. Vani MF, Sabiston CM, Petrella A, et al. Body image concerns of young adult cancer survivors: A brief report. J Psychosoc Oncol. 2021;39(5):673-679. doi:10.1080/07347332.2020.1815926