Adolescents and Young Adults
Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients form a special and unique group among cancer patients. The specific challenges related to the care of AYA with cancer have increasingly been recognised over the last years. The challenges are complex and comprise many different aspects of diagnosis, treatment (e.g., place of care, treatment protocol, new agents), inclusion in clinical trials, but also the psychosocial and financial field. Sometimes treated in the adult oncology clinics, sometimes in the pediatric clinics, it has become clear, that traditional models of care do not match the unique needs of AYAs. A rethinking and implementation of alternative treatment models is urgently needed.
We plan to address the above mentioned challenges within the SSPHO AYA Working Group with the following aims:
Map the landscape of current AYA practice, including the definition of AYA
Strengthen collaboration between clinics and adult oncology taking care for AYA cancer patients and survivors, including treatment, follow-up care and transition
Assess needs of AYA cancer patients and survivors in Switzerland to define action points for this working group (e.g. financial burden, education/ employment, psychological needs, place of care, or fertility and related fertility preservation methods and cost coverage)
Collaborate with other national AYA groups and take AYAs’ perspective into account
Increase awareness amongst the medical and paediatric oncology communities and local family doctors to enhance knowledge on specific cancer issues in AYA through professional training and continuing education.
Chair: Maria Otth (St. Gallen und Zurich)
Vice chair: Eva Brack (Bern)
Meetings are held on regular bases, using an online format. All ordinary and extraordinary SSPHO members interested in AYAs and with some expertise in the field are welcome to join. Further, members must contribute to the topic and improve the situation of AYAs in Switzerland. The working group will cover members from different fields, including clinic, research, patient/parent representatives, nurses, psychologists, social workers etc.
