Around 2,300 young people aged 15-24 are diagnosed with cancer every year.
Cancer charities from across the UK have come together to launch the first Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place in April. It aims to share young people’s experiences of cancer, raise awareness of the unique needs of this age group, show how we support young people and work to improve their experience through specialised services and research, and highlight where change is urgently needed.
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.
Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month has been launched to raise awareness of the distinct challenges this age group face and make a difference for young people with cancer.
Hugh Adams, our Head of Stakeholder Relations, said: “Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40 and we are proud to support this awareness month alongside a cohort of other charities.
“This week we announced our fourth Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence at The Institute of Cancer Research, where the team has ambitious plans to identify new treatments for high-grade glioma brain tumours – which include those previously known as brainstem glioma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) – occurring in children and young adults. We look forward to sharing more about this important research to pave the way to kinder treatments for young people and continuing to share the stories of young people affected by brain tumours to raise awareness of the challenges they face.”
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.
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