Children’s Cancer Cause is honored to recognize this first week of April as Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Awareness Week. We join advocates and organizations around the country in celebrating and supporting adolescents and young adults (AYAs) affected by cancer.

Approximately 89,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 39 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States, which accounts for about five percent of cancer diagnoses nationally. Lymphoma and thyroid cancer are the most common cancers among AYAs ages 15-24, while breast cancer and thyroid cancer are the most common for older young adults.

Whether a teen or young adult is treated by a pediatric oncologist or an adult oncologist typically depends on the type of cancer: brain tumors, leukemias, osteosarcomas, and Ewing sarcomas are often treated at a Children’s Oncology Group member institution.

“Evidence suggests that some cancers in adolescents and young adults may have unique genetic and biological features,” according to the NCI. “Researchers are working to learn more about the biology of cancers in young adults so that they can identity molecularly targeted therapies that may be effective in these cancers.”

The Children’s Cancer Cause Stewart Initiative website - childhoodcancersurvivorship.org - has information and resources aimed at the AYA population to help teens and young adults navigate concerns about issues such as intimacy and sexuality, workplace rights, and much more. Although our Stewart Initiative is aimed at childhood cancer survivors (a population that includes teens), much of the survivorship information also relates to those diagnosed as young adults.

At Children’s Cancer Cause, we’re grateful for the opportunity that this week presents to shine a light on the unique challenges that teen and young adult cancer patients and survivors face. Throughout the week, we’ll feature some of these inspiring survivors on our social media channels. Watch the video below to meet them!