Today marks the beginning of National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week. Young adults? Cancer? Absolutely. It happens all the time, and we’re not doing enough to help the nearly 70,000 adolescents and young adults (AYA), those ages 15 to 39, diagnosed with cancer annually. Survival rates have not improved in this population in nearly three decades. That’s ludicrous.
Take a moment and check out two videos from LIVESTRONG, Missed and Fight Like Hell, that hit home the reality of cancer diagnoses in the AYA population.
You can make a difference in AYA cancer. If you are a healthcare provider of any sort, consider cancer in the differential diagnosis – don’t let cancer get missed on your watch. Refer AYAs to appropriate resources. Encourage clinical trial participation. Advocate for AYAs with cancer. And if you’re not a healthcare provider, you can still do much of the same.
Be the difference.
(This post is part of a Break Cancer world record, so leave a comment within the next 22 hours to Break Cancer with me! Oh, and don’t worry if you cannot see your comment as soon as you submit it. I’ll approve it for viewing as soon as possible.)
germany4livestrong
April 3, 2011 9:13 amIn support of my friend Jenny (who’s kicking brain cancer’s butt) and in memory of my friend Courtney Clifford (1982-2011).
Dr.Dean
April 3, 2011 10:39 amMy post in support is at: http://wp.me/pNdnA-Jt
Thanks for supporting this great cause!
Karee
April 3, 2011 3:56 pmIn honor of my boyfriend, who is a three year survivor of Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 28.
Beth Wagner
April 3, 2011 11:57 pmJoining in the fight against cancer!