Charities come together to launch Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month this April
Friendships. Relationships. Exams. Parties. Hormones. Travel? University? Kids? Being a teenager or young adult can be difficult, but should also be super exciting. There are so many important decisions, that first sweet smell of freedom. Independence.
Then you hear the three words you least expected: “you have cancer”, and all those plans, hopes and dreams threaten to come crashing down.
Around 2,300 young people aged 15-24 are diagnosed with cancer every year. Imagine being a teenager or young adult and having to juggle the unique challenges that this time brings – on top of dealing with a cancer diagnosis and the huge impact of treatment.
Cancer is different in young people. They have very different needs to younger children and older adults facing this disease, so they need a special, tailored approach to improving cancer diagnosis, treatment, care and support.
The far-reaching impact of cancer does not end when treatment ends. Quality of life and learning to live well with cancer is vital too. The impact of a cancer diagnosis can continue for many years.
We must raise awareness of the distinct challenges this age group face and make a difference for young people with cancer. That’s why we’re launching Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month this April.
So young people can share their stories and be listened to. So that together we can tackle the challenges and make a change.
Neuroblastoma UK is delighted to join the growing group of charities from across the UK that have come together for the first Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month this April.
“Only 2% of neuroblastomas are diagnosed in children over the age of 10 years and 0.5% in those over 15 years old. Which can make a cancer diagnosis for this age group even more isolating.”
Around 100 children in the UK are diagnosed each year with neuroblastoma, making up about 6% of the total number of childhood cancer diagnoses. It primarily affects younger children but older children can be diagnosed too. Only 2% of neuroblastomas are diagnosed in children over the age of 10 years and 0.5% in those over 15 years old. Which can make a cancer diagnosis for this age group even more isolating.
Throughout April, our charities will be sharing young people’s experiences of cancer, raising awareness of the unique needs of this age group, showing how we support young people and work to improve their experience through specialised services and research, and highlighting where change is urgently needed.
The charities involved are Bone Cancer Research Trust, Brain Tumour Research, Cancer Research UK, Children with Cancer UK, Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group, Dragonfly Cancer Trust, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, The Little Princess Trust, Sarcoma UK, Solving Kids Cancer, Teenage Cancer Trust, Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer (TYAC), Teens Unite Fighting Cancer, The Tom Bowdidge Foundation, Trekstock and Young Lives vs Cancer.
Search #TYACAM to follow Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month and find out how the charities are raising awareness and how you can get involved this April.
Niamh, now 25 years old, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was 15.
In 2020, her cancer returned and she is once more undergoing treatment. She’s currently on a research drug trial but is doing well. This is her story.