Every year, the first week of April is Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Awareness Week. This annual awareness effort is an opportunity to focus on the unique challenges facing teen and young adult cancer patients and survivors.

According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly 86,000 individuals in the United States between the ages of 15 to 39 were diagnosed with cancer in 2023. This amounts to roughly 4% of all cancer diagnoses in the United States.

AYAs with cancer encounter many challenges. Things like starting a career, finishing school, or finding love are tough for everyone. But combined with a cancer diagnosis, they can seem impossible. This week aims to raise awareness about how hard it is for teens and young adults to deal with cancer while simultaneously juggling their busy lives.

Many organizations are working to make sure that AYAs with cancer get the care and support they need. More information about AYA cancer is available through the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Stupid Cancer provides material on issues like mental health, family & fertility, health & wellness, sex & intimacy, survivorship and adulting. CancerCare is hosting a series of “Coping Circle Workshops” for AYAs this month. Many other useful resources and contacts are detailed in this list and on the events calendar. If you know of additional resources that could be of value to the FLC community, please add them here.