Support for Young Adults with Cancer
Introduction
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is always shocking and unexpected. But hearing you have cancer as a young adult can be especially jarring. That may be because of the common misconception that cancer only affects people over 50. Although cancer in young adults is less common, cancer can affect anyone at any age. This guide is focused on the major issues young adults with cancer face before, during and after treatment.
Young adults have unique mental, emotional and psychosocial concerns and priorities. As you learn more about your diagnosis, it will help to be aware of the many areas of life it may affect:
- Your mental and emotional health
- Your ability to have children
- Parenting and/or childcare needs, if you already have children
- Long-term side effects or late effects
- Eligibility for health insurance
- Increased living expenses and other costs associated with treating cancer
- Psychosocial support
- Your sexual health and body image during and after treatment
- Ability to lead an active, healthy lifestyle
- How to pay for cancer treatment
Age is More Than a Number
Research has shown that cancer affects young adults differently than adults 50 and older, which can make treatment more complex and require that the medical team take a different approach. The type of cancer young adults face may be more aggressive or show genetic differences to the same cancer found in older adults.
Young adult bodies are also still going through physical and hormonal changes, which can affect how cancer develops and responds to treatment. Additionally, because young adults typically don’t think about cancer, they may miss the warning signs and be less likely to get symptoms checked out, or they may not recognize that anything is even wrong. This can cause delays in diagnosis, which can affect treatment options and outcomes.
Access to New Tests and Treatments
Despite the challenges, progress is being made. You have access to many advances and you will likely hear a lot terms that are new. Following are some terms you may discuss with your health care team about diagnostic testing and treatment.
- Biomarker testing is typically performed at diagnosis. It takes a sample of the tumor to identify characteristics of the tumor to offer more personalized treatment options. Even if your health care provider does not bring it up, ask about this testing.
- A biopsy is the removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist who may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue.
- Clinical trials test how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Ask your health care provider if you are eligible for one.
- Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to target specific molecules that cancer cells need to survive and spread. Targeted therapies work in different ways to treat cancer.
Advocate for Yourself
You may hear the word “advocate” a lot, so it is important to understand what it means and why it is so important. It refers to taking receiving a cancer diagnosis is always shocking and unexpected. But hearing you have cancer as a young adult can be especially jarring. That may be because of the common misconception that cancer only affects people over 50. Although cancer in young adults is less common, cancer can affect anyone at any age. This guide is focused on the major issues young adults with cancer face before, during and after treatment.
Educate yourself to better navigate your cancer diagnosis control of your situation and being an active
partner in your treatment plan. It also means standing up for yourself when necessary. Here are some ways you can be an advocate for your health.
- Educate yourself. Be a student of your disease to make informed, educated decisions about your care. Ask your health care provider to explain your specific subtype of cancer and seek out reliable sources of information and cancer advocacy groups.
- Listen to your body. Pay attention to how your body feels and listen to your intuition. If you feel something is off, share the symptoms with your doctor who can order additional tests to determine the cause.
- Get a second opinion. This is recommended for multiple reasons. Doctors bring different training and experience to treatment planning. Another doctor’s opinion may change the diagnosis or reveal a treatment about which your first doctor was unaware. You deserve to hear reasons and recommendations for all your treatment options.
- Speak up and ask questions. You don’t know what you don’t know, so ask! Do not be silent or afraid to ask questions, even on topics that seem embarrassing like sexual health. Your health care team can’t help you if they don’t know how you are feeling physically and emotionally.
- Prepare for appointments. Bring a notebook to take notes. Track how you’re feeling, and make a list of any questions you have between appointments. Bring a friend or family member to your appointments.
- Seek out support. You may fear that no one else at your age has cancer. However, you may be surprised to know that you have a large community of support available, including advocacy groups, case managers, other survivors, support groups, mental health professionals, rehabilitation specialists, nurses and your own inner circle.
Survivorship
Thanks to the advances being made, more young adults are surviving cancer and going on to lead full, active lives. Remember, you are not alone. Take advantage of the support available to help you through your journey physically and mentally.
