Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program

Overview

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer face unique challenges and have specific needs. Historically, oncology care has been divided between pediatric and older adult patients, creating additional challenges for AYAs as they navigate their cancer care while also balancing mental health, financial wellbeing, educational and career development goals, fertility, and social connection.

The AYA program at Mass General Cancer Center was established to directly address the unique needs of our AYA population. We are developing clinical and psychosocial frameworks and creating social opportunities to improve the quality of life and outcomes for our patients.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower AYAs throughout their cancer care by fostering a community of patients, caregivers, providers, and advocates. The AYA program was established to provide an integrated model of care to address the multifaceted concerns of our patients.

• Our AYA patients are the foundation of this program.
• Our AYA patients drive the program’s ongoing engagement in research and educational initiatives to identify best clinical care practices.
• Our AYA patients are instrumental in guiding the development of our psychosocial supports and social engagement opportunities.

Through this collaborative and dynamic effort, the AYA program aims to eliminate disparities in cancer care and outcomes of AYAs impacted by cancer.

Our Multidisciplinary Care Model

Our clinical care program is designed to provide a multidisciplinary approach to the care our AYA patients receive. The team includes medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, as well as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists with experience caring for AYA patients. Our team provides resources and supports for fertility and sexual health, emotional wellbeing, education, physical health and rehabilitation, nutrition, social support, and spirituality.

Support Services

The AYA program provides patients with access to many support services at Mass General, including but not limited to:

• Clinic for Reproductive Health and Cancer
  Provides guidance on fertility preservation options.
  (Video: Fertility and Cancer)
• Integrative Therapies
  Offers free wellness services including acupuncture, yoga, and music therapy.
• Lifestyle Medicine
  Provides personalized consultations and group visits to support exercise, nutrition, rehabilitation, sleep, and stress management.
• Mind-Body Medicine
  Supports patients in learning coping and self-care techniques through interactive, group-based learning.
• Oncology Social Work
  Offers counseling and emotional support through individual counseling, peer mentoring, and support groups.
• Parenting at a Challenging Time (PACT)
  Provides individualized guidance to parents facing the challenges of cancer while parenting children and adolescents.
• Peer Mentoring
  Provides one-to-one connections between patients/caregivers and experienced peers for individualized guidance and social support.
• Psychiatric Oncology
  Offers a collaborative approach to addressing the psychological distress individuals may experience because of their cancer.
• Sexual Health
  Supports individuals and their partners in maintaining or reconnecting with their sexual health.
• Cannabinoid Therapeutics
  Provides consultation and information about medical marijuana.

FAQs

AYA Clinical Champions

Shannon MacDonald, MD
Radiation Oncologist

Stephanie Mancini, DNP
Nurse Practitioner, Radiation Oncology

Alisa Perry, MSN, PNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Radiation Oncology and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Samantha Vincent, CPNP
Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

AYA Bulletin

View Virtual & In-Person Events and Programs

AYA Sarcoma Support Group

This virtual group is open to sarcoma patients in active treatment or who completed treatment less than 1 year prior between the ages of 18-39 and meets the first Thursday of every month from 3:00-4:30 pm via Zoom. The group is facilitated by sarcoma social worker Jackie Cardarelli-Matte and nurse practitioner Christina Kim. View the support group flyer.

Register here

Life After Cancer

Our virtual stress management and resilience training (SMART) program is open to young adults between the ages of 18-39 who have completed treatment for cancer or are living with cancer. The focus of this program is to teach stress management and resilience skills to help manage the social, emotional, and physical health challenges of life after treatment. This program helps connect AYAs across the Mass General Cancer Center while providing a supportive environment to learn and apply learned strategies. For more information, please reach out to mghsurvivorship@partners.org. View program flyer (pdf).

Register here (Scroll to MGH Mind Body Program for Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Survivors)

Young Adult Brain Tumor Support Group

This virtual group is open to patients between the ages of 18-40 who have a brain tumor. Find support from other young adults. For more information, please reach out to the group leader.
Contact: Sandra McLaughlin, Oncology Social Worker, 617-643-2355

Clinical Trials

Researchers at the Mass General Cancer Center are conducting a study to learn about the experiences of young adults with cancer and their partners. View study flyer (pdf).