By Dr. Leonard Sender, director Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC
When it comes to treating an adolescent or young adult with cancer, their medical needs are unique. Equally critical are the broader aspects of care for these patients, such as oncofertility, psychosocial needs, patients’ legal rights and cancer survivorship.
The list of what must factor into complete and robust care for this vulnerable population continues. Both medical appropriateness and surrounding care will be considered at an upcoming conference co-hosted by the Hyundai Cancer Institute at CHOC and UC Irvine.
The Society for Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology’s inaugural conference will be held Oct. 16 and 17 in Irvine, Calif., and will explore the nuances of cancer treatment for adolescents and young adults.
The conference is designed for all healthcare professionals who care for adolescents and young adults with cancer: medical and surgical oncologists; gynecologists; dermatologists; radiation oncologists; and primary care providers, including nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers and psychologists.
These professionals will gain a multitude of skills at the conference:
• how to utilize and implement clinical strategies for models of care for adolescent and young adult patients with cancer into current practices;
• how to recognize the importance of prevention and early diagnosis in adolescent and young adult patients with cancer;
• how to recognize the importance of and options for oncofertility planning for adolescent and young adult patients with cancer;
• how to describe the psychosocial needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer and the impact of those needs on treatment and survivorship;
• how to describe the role of adolescent and young adult advocacy and legal issues in oncology care as it relates to the healthcare professional; and
• how to discern the issues, solutions and care of adolescent and young adult patients with leukemia, melanoma, breast cancer and cervical cancer.
Here’s what attendees can expect during the two-day conference:
On the morning of Oct. 16, we’ll hear from experts regarding oncofertility. Dr. Laxmi Kondapalli of the University of Colorado, Denver will talk about reducing fertility risks in cancer patients. Dr. Rebecca Block of Oregon Health and Science University will present a fertility preservation decision-making tool for young women.
Later that afternoon, we’ll learn more about specific types of cancer in adolescent and young adults, including cervical, melanoma and breast.
Much of the next day, Oct. 17, will focus on leukemia: building a leukemia clinic, genomics, tools and a roundtable of nine experts in adolescent and young adult cancer treatment.
Over the course of the two days, we’ll hear keynote speeches from Ryan Panchadsaram of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy and Simon Davies, who serves on the board of directors of Teen Cancer America.
Throughout the conference’s run, attendees will have plenty of opportunities to network and connect with other professionals who are equally passionate about adolescent and young adult oncology treatment.
I hope you’ll consider joining us Oct. 16 and 17. This valuable conference is sure to stimulate ideas and conversation around the unique considerations during the treatment of adolescents and young adults with cancer.
Visit www.sayao2013.com for more conference information, including registration details.
Visit www.sayao.org to learn more about the Society for Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.
