[...]... Empirical and observational research to date indicates that AYAs with cancer are distinguished by physiologic, developmental, and societal characteristics and less improvement in survival that set them apart from younger and older age groups In prioritizing research and health care needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer, the AYAO PRG chose to define the AYA population by upper and lower age... ensure excellence in care across the cancer control continuum Develop, evaluate, and disseminate standards of care for AYA cancer patients and survivors to improve outcomes No consistent standards exist for delivery of cancer- related care to AYAs, and the evidence base needed to establish standards across the continuum of care is weak The inconsistent approach to cancer diagnosis and treatment delivery... delivery to AYAs with or at risk for cancer and ensure excellence in care across the cancer control continuum First, standards of care for AYA cancer patients must be developed, evaluated, and disseminated This enormous task must be undertaken with the understanding that standards are dynamic and must be updated as advances in care are achieved Excellence in care may vary not only by cancer diagnosis... the incidence, disease outcomes, and cancer- related quality of life in this population It is known, however, that compared with younger patients, AYAs with cancer have seen little or no improvement in their survival rates for decades The AYAO PRG’s principal focus was to identify priorities for improving the outcomes of people diagnosed with cancer as adolescents and young adults The survivorship care. .. care needs of adolescents and young adults who were diagnosed and treated as children, while important, were not the PRG’s central focus In 2005-2006, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) partnered with the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) to conduct a PRG to address the special research and cancer care needs of the AYA age group and solicit recommendations for a national agenda to improve cancer prevention,... behavioral, and health services researchers; many cancer patient support providers and advocates; cancer registries; and funding sources for research and cancer- related care The unfortunate results of this lack of focus have been severe—a lack of cancer survival progress spanning more than two decades and persistent diminution of young cancer survivors’ quality of life The Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology... Group RECOMMENDATIONS This section describes five imperatives for improving the outcomes of adolescents and young adults with cancer These overarching recommendations encompass the chief concerns expressed in the research and care priorities identified by the 11 AYAO PRG Roundtable Breakout Groups (Table 1) In addition, the AYAO PRG strongly emphasizes that the detailed Breakout Group reports provided in... makers, the news and entertainment media, the military, educational institutions, philanthropic and other funding organizations, and the business world that cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death among adolescents and young adults Each of these components of the non-clinical public requires tailored messaging and focused outreach to improve awareness of cancer risk among AYAs and encourage... work with adolescents and young adults have the requisite understanding of the cancers that either peak or occur more commonly in this age group, post-treatment surveillance for late effects, and the specific psychosocial, economic, educational, and communication needs of the population Programs also are needed to train patient navigators, advocates, and other lay persons who conduct outreach to and. .. dysfunction and the need for concomitant medications that can influence oncologic decision-making and the care of older patients The PRG concluded that from a psychosocial perspective, the majority of patients up to age 40 are more likely to feel they have more in common with other younger patients than with middle aged or older patients For these reasons and other important similarities across the age . on the cover are provided courtesy of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Closing the Gap: Research and Care Imperatives for Adolescents and Young Adults with. priorities for improving the outcomes of people diagnosed with cancer as adolescents and young adults. The survivorship care needs of adolescents and young adults