Strategies to improve outcomes in adolescent & young adult oncology

Approximately 68,000 adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15-39 were diagnosed with cancer in 2002; 8 times more cases than in children under age 15. Additionally, survival rates in this age range have not improved in over two decades. To address the cancer disparities that exist among this population, the National Cancer Institute and the Lance Armstrong Foundation's LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance partnered to establish the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (AYAO) Progress Review Group (PRG). The PRG process is considered to be the “gold standard” for Federal scientific strategic planning. PRGs have three phases (Recommendation; Implementation; and Reporting) and are used to assess the state of the science for particular diseases or populations, identify gaps and resource needs, and generate recommendations for future research programs and policies. The first phase of the AYAO PRG resulted in 5 comprehensive recommendations that establish the scientific foundation to support changes in policies and research that impact adolescents and young adults with cancer. The Implementation phase has begun with the development of an Implementation Plan that provides detailed, actionable strategies for transitioning the AYAO PRG consensus recommendations into reality. This report provides a review of recent, relevant scientific research for each PRG recommendation, and for every related strategy, the report lists the potential partners, resources, and timeline for implementation. The strategies described in this report suggest a concrete plan, created through a public-private partnership, with true potential to improve outcomes for adolescents and young adults with cancer.