Policy and practice in teenage and young adult cancer care in England: looking to the future

Abstract

This paper outlines the current policy and service developments for the provision of cancer care for teenagers, young adults and their families in England. Key implications in terms of the settings and place of care, the centrality of the multidisciplinary team, the improvement of outcomes in TYA cancer care together with psychosocial issues are examined in more depth alongside the existing evidence base. In terms of the development of high quality, accessible specialist TYA cancer care and the development of a rigorous evidence base for the practice of TYA cancer care the next few years are crucial. The way forward is complex and challenging but the framework is in place in England to comprehensively improve the care and outcomes of teenagers and young adults with cancer.