AYA in the USA. International Perspectives on AYAO, Part 5

Abstract

Within the past decade, the discipline of adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology has taken root in the United States. It arose from the observation that survival improvements for 15-39-year-olds have lagged behind those of both children and older adults. Rapid progress in this new area has resulted from energetic work by researchers, clinicians, and non-profit organizations focusing on AYA-aged cancer patients and survivors. The term ''AYA'' is now well recognized within both pediatric and medical oncology, and AYA-specific aims are increasingly included in clinical trials and also basic and translational oncology research. The AYA oncology movement in the United States was spearheaded by the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance (the Alliance), a coalition of AYA-focused non-profit organizations and academic institutions that has recently transitioned into a successor organization-Critical Mass: The Young Adult Cancer Alliance, composed of individual AYAO professionals. The work of groups such as the Alliance/Critical Mass and key collaborators-including the National Cancer Institute, National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Children's Oncology Group, and advocacy organizations-provides a useful platform for the discussion of progress in AYA oncology in the United States, including advances in (1) research and tool development; (2) public and professional education; (3) advocacy and patient support; (4) awareness; and (5) service delivery. AYA oncology programs are now burgeoning dramatically throughout the United States, and many well-established U.S. programs share distinctive features in clinical programming. The United States is now entering an era of larger-scale coordinated efforts in research, advocacy, and clinical care for AYAs with cancer.

Does age matter? Comparing post‐treatment psychosocial outcomes in young adult and older adult cancer survivors with their cancer‐free peers

“…These findings are likely to generalize beyond Canadian borders due to the congruency of much AYA psycho‐oncology research across OECD countries . In recent years, some countries have launched national AYA oncology programs, and studies using population‐level data across countries could provide important comparisons with our results, as well as comparisons of the efficacy of AYA cancer‐survivor programs based on the needs we and others document. Future research might also focus on temporal trends over time within Canada and other countries while also examining differential responses where psychosocial AYA programs are available.…”

“…These findings are likely to generalize beyond Canadian borders due to the congruency of much AYA psychooncology research across OECD countries. 31 In recent years, some countries have launched national AYA oncology programs, 26,[32][33][34][35] and studies using population-level data across countries could pro-…”

Early Education and Employment Outcomes After Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults

“…4 More recently, studies have begun to explore the impact of a cancer diagnosis during adolescence and young adulthood on education and employment. 5,6 These studies have included adults up to 39 years old, most of whom would have completed formal education and gathered reasonable employment experience when diagnosed. Given the extent of education and employment transitions within the 15-25 year-old period (e.g.…”

International evolution in AYA oncology: Current status and future expectations

“…Additionally, several national initiatives, guidelines, and educational programs have emerged; for example, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) developed clinical practice guidelines for AYAs and the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), displayed in Figure , now has AYA committees in each of its pediatric and adult clinical trial groups . In addition, there has been an increase in the number of AYA local programs at pediatric and adulthospitals …”