Working to reshape cancer care for all young adults in BC and beyond.

 

“It’s a strange experience facing mortality at an age where the world assumes we’re vivacious. Having cancer young has changed each of us in profound ways.”  


- FROM A YOUNG ADULT WITH CANCER

 

In Canada, nearly 8,300 young adults are diagnosed with cancer each year. That’s nearly 1 young adult diagnosed every 65 minutes. 

Cancer care needs for young adults are unique, yet there are limited cancer care programs specific to young adults in Canada. Further, there is limited research and practice representing young adults with diverse experiences and identities.

There is an urgent need to reshape young adult cancer care, for all young adults.*

*Throughout the website we use the term all to remind us of our commitment to strive to be equitable and representative of young adults with diverse experiences and identities.

 




young adult’ (/ˌjʌŋ ˈæd.ʌlt/): Anyone diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15-39.

Perspectives from a Young Adult

Perspectives from a Young Adult

Vignettes
Nellie

I’m Nellie.

I enjoy knitting, gardening, and sewing.

I was diagnosed with cancer as a young adult.

Navigating cancer as a young adult, I have learned to live with deep uncertainty with the future and how to balance hope with acceptance.

Duncan

I’m Duncan.

I enjoy playing music.

I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 24.

My hope for young adult cancer is that we can expand funding and resources for young adult survivors.

Charlene

I’m Charlene.

I enjoy making art and being creative.

I was diagnosed with cancer as a young adult.

Being diagnosed as a young adult with cancer is different and comes with so many challenges that are unique to us. Dealing with all of this is hard enough, but for me another layer is added to the storm as a person of colour. In an ideal world, it wouldn’t matter the colour of your skin, everyone would be treated the same.

Our work seeks to inspire changes to cancer care programming, research, training, funding. 

 
 
 

Anew is a research collaborative at Royal Roads University.

We work with young adults with lived experiences with cancer and cancer care allies (clinicians, decision-makers, supporters, and researchers) to reshape young adult cancer care.

We value young adults as experts of their own cancer experiences and as change agents.

Through creative and participatory ways, we strive to create understanding, identify priorities, build partnerships, be equitable, and inspire tangible change.