Disparities in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer

BACKGROUND: Cancer care for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) focuses on the care of patients aged 15 to 39 years. Historically, this group has favorable outcomes based on a preponderance of diagnoses such as thyroid cancers and Hodgkin lymphoma. Improvements in outcomes among the AYA population have lagged behind compared with younger and older populations.

METHODS: We discuss and review recent progress in AYA patient care and highlight remaining disparities that exist, including financial disadvantages, need for fertility care, limited clinical trial availability, and other areas of evolving AYA-focused research.

RESULTS: Survival rates have not improved for this age group as they have for children and older adults. Disparities are present in the AYA population and have contributed to this lack of progress.

CONCLUSIONS: Recognizing disparities in the care of AYAs with cancer has led many medical specialty disciplines to improve the lives of these patients through advocacy, education, and resource development. Research addressing barriers to clinical trial enrollment in this population, quality-of-life issues, and the improvement of survivorship care is also under way.