Addressing the Needs of a Vulnerable Population: Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Rehabilitation

Thursday, November 10, 2022

1:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Presenter(s)

Sara Christensen Holz

Associate professor
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Slides
Cathy Lee-Miller, MD

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Kayla Sukup, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Physical Therapist; Certified Lymphedema Therapist
UW Health Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, United States
Lisa Dussault, OTR/L, CLT

Occupational Therapist, Advanced; Certified Lymphedema Therapist
UW Health Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation
Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Although adolescent and young adult cancer survivors compromise a relatively small percentage of the overall cancer population, they have unique needs. They have specific needs related to social well being, financial and employment concerns, fertility and many others. This symposium will review the definitions, epidemiology, and needs of the adolescent and young adult population (AYA). We will discuss how the AYA clinic was developed at our institution and discuss the format of the clinic. We will discuss the research initiatives surrounding the clinic. We will then use a case based approach to illustrate the unique needs of the population including long term survivors of pediatric cancers, fertility issues, work and psychosocial concerns, pain management and body image issues.

Learning Objectives:

Define adolescent and young adult cancer survivors
Describe the differences in cancer type, side effects to treatment, and outcomes in the adolescent and young adult population compared with other cancer populations
Describe 3 unique needs in the adolescent and young adult oncology population