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Supporting Young Adults with Cancer

  • Cancer rates among younger people have been rising in recent years. While experts are still learning about the reasons why, there’s one thing they know for sure: Younger adults with cancer face unique challenges.  

    A growing problem

    “Between 2011 and 2019, the rates have increased by almost 2% per year,” says Fox Chase Cancer Center gastrointestinal oncologist Christopher G. Cann, MD, who focuses on treating younger adults. Some of the biggest upticks have occurred in:

    As more young people navigate cancer, there’s the growing realization that they need guidance geared toward their stage of life.

    Facing cancer under 40

    While receiving a cancer diagnosis can be life-altering at any time, younger adults often feel their lives have been derailed just as things are starting to take off.  

    “[Younger adults are] beginning their careers. They’re beginning a family. They’re in the midst of education. They’re often not financially stable,” says Dr. Cann.  

    There are other unique concerns to grapple with. There’s the loss of independence and a desire for things to just feel normal at work, at home and in social situations.  

    If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer at a young age, you might be coping with some or all of these common challenges:

    Feeling alone. 

    Friends and family may not understand what you’re going through. And they may not know how to be there for you. That can lead to feelings of isolation.

    Relationship strain. 

    Many young adults with cancer worry about how their condition will affect their relationships, dating life or sexual intimacy.

    Financial stress. 

    Many younger adults worry about how to pay for treatment while managing expenses like student loans or a mortgage. Or they may worry how their diagnosis and treatment might affect their careers.

    Fertility concerns. 

    Cancer, and cancer treatment, can affect fertility. Younger adults who plan to start or grow their families may worry about whether that will still be possible.  

    Parenting worries. 

    For patients with children, worry over how kids will handle the diagnosis can be an added stress, along with practical concerns about who will care for their children during treatment.  

    The value of specialized support

    At Fox Chase, our Young Adult Cancer Program offers multidisciplinary support for people with cancer who are ages 18 to 39.  

    Support programs and counseling services that are tailored to younger adults can make many of these challenges feel more manageable. Getting help from people who truly understand your concerns makes it easier for you to focus on your cancer care. Specialized support programs may also help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.

    Directed by Dr. Cann, the Fox Chase program offers a range of resources tailored to younger adults facing cancer, including:

    • Virtual support groups
    • Mental health counseling
    • Fertility preservation counseling
    • Genetic counseling
    • Sexual health education
    • Help balancing work or school with treatment
    • Guidance and support for parents or caregivers of young children
    • Financial guidance

    Get started

    At Fox Chase, we’re here to support you throughout your cancer journey. To enroll or learn more about our Young Adult Cancer Program, call 888-369-2427 or request an appointment online.  

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