Childhood Cancer-Connect: Identifying solutions to elevating the cancer experience for adolescents and young adults with cancer.

Abstract

Adolescents and young adults with cancer (aged 15-39 years) experience unique challenges because of their developmental life stage, and many have limited access to support and resources. Childhood Cancer (CC)-Connect, the patient assistance component of the White House Cancer Moonshot Childhood Cancer-Data Integration for Research, Education, Care, and Clinical Trials initiative that aims to help childhood cancer families find the best care for their child, undertook a multipronged effort to identify key strategies for addressing the unique needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer. This article describes the 4 strategies that emerged to form a comprehensive framework for addressing the unmet needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer, which can improve outcomes and enhance the cancer care experience for this vulnerable population.