An independent evaluation of Canteen’s Youth Cancer Services has found that the initiative provided important access to age-appropriate clinical care and treatment between 2020-2024, improving quality of life for AYAs with cancer across Australia.
Through 25 consultations with 67 stakeholders, management consultancy Nous Group evaluated Phase 4 of the YCS initiative, finding improvements in a number of key areas.
Phase 4 saw a 6% increase in the average annual number of new patients supported by the YCS compared to Phase 3. The evaluation also tracked an 8% average increase in new patients undertaking fertility preservation, a 20% average increase in clinical trial enrolments, and a 34% average increase in patients provided with a comprehensive survivorship care plan.
The YCS supported an average of 1,914 AYAs each year during Phase 4—20% above the target set by the Department of Health and Aged Care—with 630 from regional areas.
“The YCS initiative saw the delivery of a high-quality service across each jurisdiction despite significant workforce constraints,” Nous Group stated, adding that there are opportunities to expand the impact of the YCS through strategies such as local funding partnerships, enhanced analytics, and expansion into new locations and demographics.
