Featuring Dr. David Fryer Director of the Life Survivorship & Transition Program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Cancer does not discriminate, but there are cancer patients who do not receive the attention they should

• Adolescence and young adult patients are considered the "The Lost Generation of Cancer Patients"
• These 15-39 year old patients had a lower chance of survival as time passed. (2:00)

Reasons for the low survival rate in younger cancer patients

• Younger cancer patients tend not to take part in clinical studies. The survival rate is directly related to how much research has been dedicated to that age group.
• Younger patients may have different reactions to medication.
• Disease biology may be different in younger individuals.
• Adherence to treatment; younger individuals may take their medication less.
• Adolescence don't have access to good cancer treatment facilities
• Doctors treat younger cancer patients differently, not always on purpose (6:00)

Cancer survivorship

• Alive 5 years after diagnosis are considered long-term survivors.
• The cancer cure rate for adolescence is 80%, but these patients have long term issues (due to chemotherapy, heavy medication)
• Adolescence cancer patients need long term monitoring
• Young patients tend to leave medical surveillance after age 20. It's a busy time in their lives, so the cancer watching becomes less of a priority despite it being incredibly important.

Current research and options for "The Lost Generation"

(10:00)

• A lot of research is being done.
• Collaboration between Lance Armstrong and The National Cancer Institute called "The Livestrong Young-Adult Alliance"
• Many other alliances to help adolescence cancer patients bringing the issue in to the public's eye.

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