Caring for young people with cancer : practical implications of qualitative engagement with cancer survivors and members of the multidisciplinary team

Many adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors live with ongoing adverse consequences of their cancer experience. While an increasing number of these young Australians have direct access to care in the specialised Youth Cancer Service, many continue to receive care in diverse, non-specialised settings. It is important that health professionals in specialised and non-specialised settings are aware of the continuing diverse consequences of cancer, including the challenges created for negotiating family, peer and intimate relationships. This paper draws together insights derived from qualitative studies into the experiences of AYAs who have survived cancer, with a focus on our recent Australian study of young people diagnosed during adolescence and young adulthood. We describe how members of multidisciplinary teams (MDT) can help young cancer survivors maintain their social relationships.