The term ‘anew’ reflects our shared commitment to engaging in research in participatory, patient-centred, and creative ways to reshape adolescent and young adult cancer care.

For us, it means building from the lived experiences of adolescents and young adults with cancer and working together with adolescents and young adults and cancer care allies to create tangible changes in adolescent and young adult cancer care.

Where, together, we can create anew – an approach to adolescent and young adult cancer care for all adolescents and young adults navigating cancer today and in the future.

Anew began as an idea – a desire to change cancer care for adolescents and young adults experiencing cancer.

It is now a collaborative of change – a community of adolescents and young adults and care allies working together to engage in participatory, patient-centred research to create tangible, responsive change to cancer care for all adolescents and young adults.

 





‘anew’ (/əˈn(y)o͞o/) : in a new or different and typically more positive way; in a new form or manner: to write the story anew.

Perspectives from a Young Adult

Perspectives from a Young Adult

Vignettes
Nivan

My name is Nivan.

I was diagnosed with with with osteosarcoma at age 16. A major challenge I faced was social isolation. I was unable to receive treatment in my hometown of Prince Rupert, so took a leave from high school and travelled to Vancouver for 9 months. During treatment I felt isolated from my friends and family back home. After treatment I felt isolated from the peer-support groups in Vancouver. Social isolation is merely one of many issues AYAs from rural communities face and I am grateful to Anew for bringing awareness to our concerns.

 Anew amplifies the voices of AYAs from diverse backgrounds and experiences. They highlight the stories of people from varied identities including race, gender, ability, distance from care centres and socio-economic status. Thanks to Anew, our voices do not go unheard.

Celina

My name is Celina.

I was diagnosed with with cervical cancer at age 30 and again at age 35… stage 4. Major challenges I faced included the financial strain of being unable to work during treatment, the extensive medical travel required from Northern BC, fertility concerns and the emotional weight of trying to remain present as a mother through it all. With Anew, we are pushing for change that supports AYAs through the many realities of life during and after cancer.

Savan

My name is Savan.

I was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 16. Overnight my life became a balance of hospital appointments, schoolwork, friendships – and trying not to lose myself in the middle of it all. That’s why Anew means so much to me. They ease the weight that comes with a diagnosis and reminds young adults like me that we don’t have to carry the weight alone.

The beginning of Anew.

I was 34. I had recently finished my doctorate, and just finished a five-day backpacking trip along the West Coast Trail. I was ready to find that dream job, meet my life partner, and start a family. Yet, life had other plans.

The next day, I had a biopsy. The following day, I was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma. I became a young adult with cancer. I became a patient in a world where the terms, young adult and cancer, don’t quite fit. A world, we don’t quite understand.

Navigating the cancer care system, it became increasingly clear that it isn’t designed for young adults -- The medical and psychosocial needs of young adults with cancer are unique. I often felt alone -- Misunderstood. Surrounded by people who could easily be my grandparents, I felt out of place. When friends die, I feel anger and guilt. With each scan and appointment, I wonder – Is cancer progressing?

Fortunately, I became part of a community of young adults with lived experiences with cancer who understand. And through conversations with young adults and cancer care allies, it is clear, more can be done in young adult cancer care.

As a researcher, I decided to shift my research trajectory. I wanted to work in partnership with other young adults and cancer care allies to reshape cancer care for young adults. And so, Anew was born! Where, together, we are working in partnership with young adults and cancer care allies to understand and reshape cancer care for all young adults in BC, Canada, and beyond!