Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer face significant suffering including anxiety, reduced quality of life, pain and other psychosocial symptoms. Untreated distress and pain in AYAs with cancer predicts long-term psychological late effects, regardless of the outcome of the disease. AYAs with cancer have been understudied and underrepresented in clinical trials. This population faces many short- and long-term health and psychosocial consequences of cancer diagnosis and treatment, but many programs for cancer treatment, survivorship care, and psychosocial support do not focus on the specific needs of AYA cancer patients. There is also growing evidence of interventions that can enhance resilience and positive psychological outcomes in AYAs. During this symposium, leading international AYA experts will present the state of the science in AYA psychosocial care and discuss implications for the clinical setting.
Chair: Barbara Jones Discussant: Karen Fasciano
S22-1: Supportive Care for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, B. Zebrack
S22-2: Building Resilience in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: Theoretical and Patient-Reported Rationale for Positive Psychological Interventions, A. Rosenberg
S22-3: Assessing and Managing the Distress and Psychosocial Needs of AYA Cancer Patients, P. Patterson
