CC-Connect: Identifying solutions to elevating the cancer experience for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer.

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults with cancer (AYAs, aged 15 to 39 years) experience unique challenges due to their developmental life stage, and many have limited access to support and resources. CC-Connect, the patient assistance component of the White House Cancer Moonshot CC-DIRECT initiative that aims to help childhood cancer families find the best care for their child, undertook a multipronged effort to identify key strategies for addressing the unique needs of AYAs with cancer. This paper describes the four strategies that emerged to form a comprehensive framework for addressing the unmet needs of AYAs with cancer, which can improve outcomes and enhance the cancer care experience for this vulnerable population.