Medical and Support Services
Adolescents and young adults need a framework of medical and psychological support that is not available at adult hospitals. Our Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Program gives patients access to the most advanced cancer care while taking a family-centered approach that keeps patients and those who love them actively involved.
Medical Services
Patients of the AYA Oncology Program at Children’s Hospital receive professional, specialized medical support that adult oncology programs simply don’t have and can’t offer, including:
- Adolescent Medicine Specialist Approach. Our well-established Adolescent Medicine Division collaborates with the oncology team to manage the health issues unique to the adolescent and young adult population.
- Care Coordination. Professionals coordinate all aspects of care, including procedure and radiology study scheduling, patient and family education; pain and symptom management, and end-of-life (hospice) patient care, both in the hospital and at home.
- Fertility Preservation. In collaboration with Magee Women’s Hospital, we are conducting fertility studies on young adult cancer patients. A fertility specialist from Magee Women’s Hospital can also facilitate sperm banking and consult on female fertility issues, to preserve future fertility patients undergoing cancer treatment.
- Late Effects of Cancer Therapy and Long-Term Follow-Up Care. As more and more pediatric cancer patients are cured, the appearance of late effects of their disease increases as they age. Our staff is involved on the national level of Children’s Oncology Group (COG) in examining and addressing these issues.
- Collaboration with University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI). Pediatric oncologists on the AYA team work in conjunction with adult oncologists at UPCI to care for patients ages 16 to 21 with Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Ewing’s sarcoma, osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia and brain tumors.
Support Services
Adolescents and young adults with cancer have the same needs as their peers. They desire to be seen as individuals, yet group acceptance is very important. They want to have close relationships with friends, to feel that they’re understood, and to plan for a promising future. Our AYA Oncology Program provides a variety of non-medical services designed to help adolescents and young adults stand up as individuals without standing out because of their disease. Among them are:
- Psychosocial services. Young adult-specific psychiatry and psychology support and therapy are available. Weekly “teen chat” support groups for inpatients and outpatients who live in the area help young adults understand they’re not alone. Coping skills, therapy compliance and life skills training for financial, workplace and relationship issues are emphasized.
- AYA Life Specialists. Activities designed for young adults are available to make their stay more enjoyable. A collection of age-appropriate (up to PG-13) movies, music, video games, books and magazines is available for use at the hospital, and chaperoned outings are planned. Emphasis is placed on maintaining the same activities and interests young adult patients enjoy at home.
- Look Good ... Feel Better Program. This hospital-based, public service program was created by the Cosmetic,Toiletry and Fragrance Association Foundation and its collaborators to help teens, aged 13-17, deal with the appearance, health and social effects of cancer treatment. These one-and-a-half hour, co-ed, “parent-free” sessions provide teens with professional advice on appearance, nutrition and social concerns during cancer treatment, as well as a backpack full of free skincare products and gear. Learn more.
- Tutoring services. School and homework support helps patients keep current with their studies while undergoing treatment.
- School/Career Counselor. Career and continuing education guidance and encouragement helps patients set goals and look forward to and plan for their futures, whether their cancer has affected their plans or not.
