Young Adult Cancer Treatment and Survivorship: Why It Matters

Feb. 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Each year, more than 70,000 young adults (15-39) are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. 1 in every 100 college students is a cancer survivor. However, survival rates within the young adult age group have not improved in over 25 years.

In an interview with The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer, Peter Coccia MD of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center at The Nebraska Medical Center noted that, "The need is urgent for more attention from the treatment and survivorship perspectives." The full interview is available at http://www.thesamfund.org/blog/.

As Chair of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Guidelines Panel for AYA Oncology, Coccia underscored the importance of the release of NCCN Guidelines for Patients®: Caring for AYA. "The expectations for both the professional and patient guidelines are that they will contribute to optimizing care and improving outcomes in AYA patients with cancer," Coccia stated.

The patient guidelines include a comprehensive listing of organizations that support this often-forgotten age group, including The SAMFund, providing direct financial assistance to young adult survivors since 2003. Free access to the library of NCCN Guidelines for Patients is available at http://www.nccn.com.

About The SAMFund

The SAMFund supports young adult cancer survivors in the United States as they recover from the financial impact of cancer treatment. Through direct financial assistance, in-person and online support, The SAMFund helps young adults move forward towards their personal, professional, and educational goals. For more information, visit http://www.thesamfund.org.


About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), a not-for-profit alliance of 21 of the world's leading cancer centers, is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers. The primary goal of all NCCN initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives. For more information, visit http://www.nccn.org/index.asp.