Inaugural International Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Congress 2015
Published on the 18 January 2016
From the 3rd-5th December 2015, CanTeen held the inaugural International Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Congress in Sydney.
‘Crossing Boundaries and Bringing it all Together’ was the theme for the congress, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary research and practice for the delivery of a comprehensive model of care for AYAs. As a testament to this, the congress was well-attended by more than 250 international delegates, from broad backgrounds including oncology and haematology, nursing, and allied health.
The Behavioural Sciences Unit was well represented, presenting across all three congress themes of AYA cancer care: best practice and emerging medical treatments, psychological and emotional support, and survivorship.
Associate Professor Claire Wakefield: Genetics-related information needs of AYAs
A/Prof Wakefield presented findings from recent surveys and interviews with AYA survivors of childhood cancer concerning their genetics-related information needs, as well as recommendations for comprehensive, multidisciplinary care.
Dr Ursula Sansom-Daly: Health-literacy and health communication, distress, end-of-life care, and online interventions for AYAs
Dr Sansom-Daly presented on a number of her ongoing research projects. The first related to the experiences AYAs with cancer concerning health literacy and health-related communication, ending with a discussion of the implications for the delivery of AYA-friendly care. Dr Sansom-Daly also introduced a tool developed by a research team in the US for AYA cancer patients nearing end-of-life, called ‘Voicing My CHOiCES’, and discussed a study evaluating the potential usefulness of this tool in the Australian context.
Her next presentation offered insight into the implications of autobiographical disruption and distress mechanisms on tailoring evidence-based support for AYAs with cancer. Dr Sansom-Daly’s final presentation for the congress touched on the ethical and clinical challenges faced when implementing online psychosocial support for AYAs with cancer.
Alistair Lum: Educational models
Mr Lum’s presentation included insights into AYAs perspectives on the importance of positive, supportive teacher attitudes in promoting successful engagement and participation at school.
Eden Robertson: Romantic relationships and sexual functioning
Ms Robertson presented qualitative findings of AYAs’ perspectives on their romantic and sexual relationships early post-treatment. She highlighted that while some AYAs are resilient, others do experience sexual and relationship difficulties self-attributed to their cancer experience. This study has recently been accepted for publication in the Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.
Professor Richard Cohn: Survivorship care
On the last day of the congress Professor Cohn highlighted the ongoing health challenges faced by many survivors of childhood cancer beyond ‘cure’, as evidence by their increased likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease later in life due to the vascular damage that cancer treatment can cause.