Grant awarded to enhance adolescent cancer services

An Australian-first Adolescent and Youth Cancer Service is being established at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital to bridge a critical gap in care for young patients moving out of the children’s health system.

A $1 million Telethon grant has been awarded to both North Metropolitan Health Service and Children and Adolescent Health Service to support and care for adolescents accessing cancer services.

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Youth Cancer Services Medical Lead Dr Hetal Dholaria said that adolescents and young adults have very different needs compared to younger children or older adults, and are often navigating education, employment, relationships, fertility concerns, and independence at the same time as a cancer diagnosis."

"This new program will create a model specifically designed around that life stage," she said.

"It will assist with access to age-appropriate clinical trials, specialist neuropsychology support, organ-protective therapies, and access to targeted therapies."

"It creates continuity of care, so a young person can transition between hospitals without losing access to treatments, trials, or specialist support purely because of age or location."