Adolescent and Young Adult (AYAs) Cancer

Adolescents and young adults' cancers refer to cancers that occur in individuals aged 15 to 39. In 2019, there were over 1.3 million new cases and 40,000 deaths. According to the Hong Kong Hospital Authority's reports, in 2021, the number of AYA cancer diagnoses reached 1,590. These cases are 4% of all new cases in Hong Kong. This means there are, on average four new cases per day, and is 8 times more seen than child cancer (14 or under).

What challenges do they face?

Side effects from treatment, such as changes in physical appearance, lower cognitive ability, heart complications, infertility and more*
Delay on education/career
Impacting social life
Psychological trauma from cancer treatments
Difficulty with intimate relationships and family planning
Relapse and fear of death, and more.

In addition, research shows that adolescent and young adult cancer patients face a higher likelihood of delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis compared to cancer patients in other age groups.

Common AYA Cancers

The most common types of cancer in AYAs include, but are not limited to:

Nasopharyngeal Cancer
Lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s)
Osteosarcoma (Cancer of connective tissue such as muscles and bones)
Thyroid Cancer
Testicular Cancer
Female reproductive tract cancer (Cervical and ovarian cancer)
Colorectal Cancer
Breast Cancer

Certain types of adolescent and young adult cancers have distinct age distributions. For example, lymphoma tends to occur more frequently in young people under the age of 25, whereas cancers such as breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer are more commonly seen in young people over the age of 25.

Females are more likely than males to develop adolescent and young adult cancers, but the fatality rates after diagnosis are similar between the two sexes.

Why is it Important?

In the past decade or so, European and American countries have increased attention AYA cancer patients. The unique physical and psychological needs of adolescent and young adult cancer patients have gradually come to light, leading to the emergence of organizations dedicated to supporting them. However, in Hong Kong, AYA cancer patients remain the group with the least support. Most medical institutions simply use the age of eighteen as the dividing line, categorizing patients as either children or adults. Yet this simple classification severely overlooks the unique physical and psychological needs of adolescent and young adult cancer patients.

Change

About Us: Youth Cancer Hong Kong was officially registered in 2023, becoming Hong Kong's first-ever non-governmental organization dedicated to serving AYA cancer patients (Charity No.: 91/18943). Our organisation is formed by a group of patients and survivors, medical experts, and social workers. Together, we strive to support all AYA cancer patients, survivors, and their families, increase public awareness of AYA cancer, and promote the development of social resources and scientific research.