RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Young adult cancer services in the UK: the journey to a national network
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 258
OP 262
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.13-3-258
VO 13
IS 3
A1 Robert Carr
A1 Myrna Whiteson
A1 Melinda Edwards
A1 Sue Morgan
YR 2013
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/13/3/258.abstract
AB The past decade has seen the development of a network of specialist teenage and young adult cancer centres across the UK. These provide expertise in treatment across the spectrum of malignancies that occur in young adults, supported by multi-disciplinary teams that are able to provide the psycho-social support so necessary for this age group, and in a hospital environment that encourages social interaction while delivering expert medical care. The development of teenage and young adult (TYA) cancer as a specialty gained establishment backing in 2005, through NICE guidance which mandated that all 16- to 24-year-olds should be referred to specialist TYA cancer centres. The foundation of this achievement was set by a handful of committed individuals and the Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity that has acted as patient advocate and political pressure group, and that has brought to public attention the need for change while providing support for specialist staff and hospitals.