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Objective 5:
Teenagers and Young Adults
To address the specific needs of teenagers and young adults
(TYA), in cooperation with adult oncology.
Although cancer in teenagers and young adults is rare, it is a substantial
cause of death in this population. Outcomes are often poorer than
in younger patients with the same cancer, and several contributory
factors have been identified: the type of tumours, their biology and
sensitivity to current therapies, as well as the low participation of TYA
in clinical trials [14] [15]. TYA have specific and unmet needs, including
complex psychological and social supportive care. Their position
between adult and children’s services in healthcare systems does not
allow for the best possible provision of care or dedicated research
that could improve their quality of survival.
Strategy
g
To develop a comprehensive multidisciplinary European programme, tackling all issues
and specific needs of the TYA population. This will be a joint integrated programme
between paediatric and adult oncology, in strong partnership with patients.
Actions
1. Create a European multidisciplinary network on TYA cancers that covers care and research
and includes all health professionals and patients;
2. At the national level, help the creation of TYA cancer services, which provide the required
complex multidisciplinary care;
3. Define a training programme for health professionals addressing the specific needs of TYA;
4. Increase the portfolio of clinical trials for TYA, and increase their accessibility to all TYA
patients;
5. Monitor progress in TYA terms of survival, using the clinical epidemiology platform
(defined later in this document).
Within ENCCA a pilot project has been initiated in order to build the European Network for
Teenagers and Young Adults Cancer [14].
THE SIOPE STRATEGIC PLAN
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From AIEOP. Credit Attilio Rossetti
photographer, Italy