Did you know...?
(facts below courtesy of StupidCancer.org)Each year:
• 72,000 adolescents and young adults aged 15-39 are diagnosed with cancer.
Over the past 30 years:
• Cancer incidence in young adults has increased more than any other age group.
• Survival rates have not improved at the same rate as other age groups.
• Cancer has become the number one disease killer in young adults.
• Young adults are now the most underserved patient population by age.
• Delayed cancer diagnosis is now disproportionately higher in young adults.
• Young adults get entirely different cancers than other age groups.
• There is currently no "young adult cancer research." Funding traditional cancer research most likely will not help a young adult with cancer. Innovation is needed.
• Young adults have unique needs that other age groups do not such as fertility, relationships, dating, intimacy, sexuality, singlehood, parenting, insurance, financial assistance, career planning, education and age-appropriate peers support.
• Social isolation is the number one issue faced by young adults with cancer.
• Quality of life for these patients is as important as quality of care.
• The entire medical community and cancer continuum at large is grossly uneducated as to how to effectively communicate with, diagnose, treat, support and follow-up with young adults.
• Big box cancer organizations do not currently fund young adult cancer research or support the most basic of social services to the young adult support community, let alone sponsor or underwrite young adult advocacy groups.
...I'm sure many of these facts surprised you. I know I was shocked 4 years ago, when I was a senior in college and my boyfriend (now fiance) Chris told me he had cancer.
Cancer is a hard reality to deal with regardless of age, but for the young adult population it raises a lot of unique issues:
How will I pay for my treatment when I'm already struggling financially?
Can I continue to go to college / work? I don't want to fall behind in my career.
Should I move back in with my parents?
Will I still be able to have children?
I feel guilty that my boyfriend/girlfriend is going through this with me.
Will anyone still want to date me?
Fortunately, Chris got the support & treatment he needed and has been cancer free ever since. This April Chris & I will be attending the OMG! 2013 Cancer Summit, (presented by the I'm Too Young For This! foundation) for young adult cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, etc., which will feature seminars on young adult cancer topics such as managing the finances of cancer care, fertility preservation & options, managing survivor guilt, relationships & dating with cancer, long term effects, and much much more.
Chris & I are very excited to be attending the OMG! Cancer Summit for the first time, and we think it's important for ALL young adults who have been affected by cancer to have the opportunity to participate in this event.
Please visit my fundraising page and consider making a donation to help a young adult who can't afford to attend the Cancer Summit because they are struggling to pay their medical bills, college loans, etc. get the support & education they need.
Thanks!
-Alice
