Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month
Published on: 31 March 2023Charities come together to launch #TYACAM
Being a teenager or young adult can be difficult but should also be exciting. There are so many important decisions, as well as that first taste of freedom and independence. Then you hear the three words you least expected: "you have cancer", and it feels like all your plans, hopes and dreams are at risk.
Around 2,300 young people aged 15-24 are diagnosed with cancer every year, and lymphoma is the most common cancer in this age group.
It is difficult being a teenager or young adult and having to juggle the unique challenges that this time brings, let alone dealing with a cancer diagnosis and the impact of treatment. Young people's needs are different from those of younger children and older adults, and they need a tailored approach to improving diagnosis, treatment, care and support. We know that the impact of cancer does not end when treatment finishes. Maintaining a good quality of life and learning to live well with cancer are vital too.
It's important to raise awareness of the distinct challenges this age group faces. That's why we're joining a growing group of charities from across the UK for the first Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month this April. We want young people to share their stories and be listened to, so that together we can tackle the challenges and make a difference.
Our CEO Ropinder Gill said “We are proud to be part of the Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month campaign alongside other charities. Lymphoma is the most common cancer in 15–24-year-olds, and this April we will be sharing the stories of teenagers and young adults with lymphoma to spread awareness of the challenges they face.
Lymphoma Action is dedicated to supporting teenagers and young adults with cancer. We have a number of resources and support services to help to make sure young people don’t have to face lymphoma alone.”
Throughout April, charities will be sharing young people’s experiences of cancer, raising awareness of the unique needs of this age group, showing how we support young people and working to improve their experience through specialised services and research, highlighting where change is urgently needed.
The other charities involved are Bone Cancer Research Trust, Brain Tumour Research, Cancer Research UK, Children with Cancer UK, Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group, Dragonfly Cancer Trust, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, The Little Princess Trust, Sarcoma UK, Solving Kids Cancer, Teenage Cancer Trust, Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer (TYAC), Teens Unite Fighting Cancer, The Tom Bowdidge Foundation, Trekstock and Young Lives vs Cancer.
Search #TYACAM to follow Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, find out how the charities are raising awareness and see how you can get involved this April.
Some of our resources for Teenage and Young Adults with Cancer:
Young person’s guide to lymphoma
Young person’s online support meeting
Young person’s youtube playlist
Young people’s personal stories
31 March 2023