Charities come together to launch Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month this April

Leading cancer charities from across the UK are coming together for the first-ever Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month.

Each year, 2,374 young people aged 16-24 are diagnosed with cancer and have to deal with the huge impact of treatment on top of the unique challenges that teenagers and young adults already have to juggle.

They have very different needs to younger children and older adults facing this disease, so they need a special, tailored approach to improving cancer diagnosis, treatment, care and support.

The charities coming together are Bone Cancer Research Trust, Brain Tumour Research, Children with Cancer UK, Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG), Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Cancer Research UK, Little Princess Trust, Dragonfly Cancer Trust, Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer (TYAC), Teens Unite Fighting Cancer, The Tom Bowdidge Foundation, Teenage Cancer Trust, Sarcoma UK, Solving Kids Cancer, Trekstock, and Young Lives vs Cancer.

Throughout April, the partner charities will be sharing the experiences of young people with cancer, to raise awareness of the unique needs of this age group, to show how they support young people and work to improve their experience through specialised services and research, and to highlight where change is urgently needed.

Ashley Ball-Gamble, CEO of TYAC and CCLG, said: “We want to make every April a month where we can raise awareness of the specific challenges young cancer patients face, to ensure that their voices are heard and that support for them evolves as it should do.

“It’s vital they are given the opportunity to share their stories and be listened to, so that we can understand their needs, find answers to problems and begin to make a real change for this age group.”

Kate Collins, CEO Teenage Cancer Trust, said: ““This month is all about shining a spotlight on the experiences and needs of young people with cancer, which are so often overlooked.

“That’s why we’ll be working with young people across the UK to help them share stories about the impact cancer has had on their lives, as well as their tips and advice for others on how to cope with the many challenges a cancer diagnosis brings.

“We’re proud to be a part of Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month and to be working with young people to raise awareness and understanding of the unique needs of this age group.”

Rachel Kirby-Ryder, Chief Executive of Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “Your teenage years and early twenties aren’t always easy but are supposed to be about having fun with friends, going to school and university, travelling or getting your first foot on the career ladder.

When you have cancer at that age, you can be left feeling frightened, isolated and left behind. We are really pleased to join forces with our charity partners to raise awareness of the distinctive ways cancer impacts teenagers and young adults and highlight the areas where change is urgently needed.”

Chief executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell, said: “I’m delighted that we're coming together with so many partner organisations to launch the first Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month in the UK. Cancer is different in this age group and presents unique challenges - including accessing appropriate medical care, managing the side effects of treatment and coping with the emotional impact of cancer.

“We are determined to shine a light on these issues and work with our partners to do everything we can to make sure more teenagers and young adults survive cancer and lead long and healthy lives.”