Youth Cancer Awareness Month
Youth Cancer Service
Canteen is launching Youth Cancer Awareness Month to put youth cancer in the spotlight. We believe all young people deserve access to life-changing cancer support and have led efforts to deliver gold-standard treatment and care for young cancer patients in hospitals across Australia through the Youth Cancer Services.
1,300
Around 1,300 young Australians aged 15 to 25 are diagnosed with cancer every year
50%
Around 50% of young people diagnosed with cancer are faced with rarer or harder to treat cancers
90%
Since the 1980s, the overall survival rate for young people diagnosed with cancer has gradually increased from 79% to 90%
30,000
There are around 30,000 young cancer survivors in Australia
Keep checking back for updates! As Youth Cancer Awareness Month progresses, we’ll be adding more resources, stories, and ways for you to get involved and make a difference for young people impacted by cancer.
Tara's Story
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At 18, Tara was diagnosed with cancer. At an age full of opportunity and excitement, Tara was not only facing the physical effects of cancer, but the emotional ones too.
While her family grieved her diagnosis, she felt guilty for causing them pain, leaving her feeling confused and alone. Through Canteen’s support, Tara was able to understand her needs and access the support that worked best for her.
Now, as a young adult, she’s grown so much, and it's amazing to see the confident person she is today. She’s a leader, driving change to support young people like her, experiencing cancer. Our support services are only available thanks to our compassionate supporters, and we can’t thank them enough for their kindness.
Canteen Services
Canteen provides a range of specialist support services for young people with cancer. In addition, all young people impacted by cancer can attend our highly regarded events and programs, speak to a counsellor or use our online cancer support service Canteen Connect .
Youth Cancer Services
Young people need specialised treatment and support compared to children and older adults. The Youth Cancer Services provide age-appropriate care for young cancer patients in major hospitals throughout Australia.
Robots Program
Being diagnosed with cancer can often mean being stuck in hospital or at home. It can also mean missing weeks – and sometimes months – of school. Canteen robots provide support for young cancer patients by helping them stay connected to school, friends and family.
Education and Career Service
Cancer and its treatment can make it harder for young people to stay in school or follow their career goals. Canteen’s Education and Career Service provides tailored career guidance to help young people impacted by cancer explore their strengths and navigate the ever-changing job market.
SPACE
SPACE is an online group program for young people aged 12-25 going through active cancer treatment. It provides an opportunity to connect with others facing cancer and strengthen coping skills to help manage the impact of cancer on their life.
Thrive
Canteen’s Thrive retreat is specially designed for young people aged 18-25 who have completed cancer treatment. By meeting others in similar situations and learning strategies to manage the impact of cancer, the program supports young cancer survivors’ overall wellbeing.