OHSU AYA ONCOLOGY PROGRAM
2006 was a defining year in the establishment of Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology as a discreet discipline within cancer care, both across the country and here at OHSU.
Nationally, a movement first organized by members of various patient care and advocacy groups has helped to define AYA Oncology as the care and support of patients aged 15-40 at diagnosis. In 2006, this group evolved into the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance, who hosted an inaugural meeting in Texas in November 2006. A unique partnership between the LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance and the National Cancer Institute led to the publication in 2006 of an NCI Progress Review Group on AYA Oncology with recommendations that will serve to steer research, awareness, and advocacy priorities for years to come.
2006 was also a defining year for AYA Oncology Program at the OHSU Cancer Institute as well. We have established the AYA Oncology Program with targeted efforts in education and outreach, research, and clinical care. The AYA Oncology Program has grown with participation in national initiatives, the hiring of an AYA Oncology Program nurse coordinator and an informatics research associate, the establishment of weekly multidisciplinary AYA Oncology meetings, and expanding into a clinical space in the new Center for Health and Healing on the waterfront in January 2007.
Support from the Lance Armstrong Foundation has made the launch of OHSU Cancer Institute’s AYA Oncology Program possible, and a grant from AFLAC Insurance in 2006 will lead to the development of an AYA Oncology curriculum. In October, an unprecedented public awareness event was combined with fundraising by promoting the yellow hat campaign at the University of Oregon, sponsored by American Family Insurance. The sale of special edition LIVESTRONG Ducks caps helps to support the OHSU Cancer Institute’s AYA Oncology Program. We are grateful for this philanthropic support that will help us gain new ground against AYA cancer. We hope you too will consider ways to support our efforts.
In defining the AYA Oncology Program, we will continue to engage young adults who have experienced cancer. The direction of the AYA Oncology Program has already been influenced by a series of AYA Oncology patient focus group discussions. As we continue to grow, we will stay connected and current through an active web presence with AYA patient-specific features and resources. In addition to offering support, we will help to empower AYA patients to become their own advocates.
This is an exciting time for those involved in AYA Oncology research and care here at OHSU and beyond. The momentum has been gathering throughout this year, and we are now poised to make a big impact on this #1 disease killer of adolescents and young adults. As always, we welcome your involvement in the OHSU Cancer Institute’s AYA Oncology Program, so please send us your feedback and ideas.
Brandon Hayes-Lattin, MD
hayeslat@ohsu.edu
