It’s rare for an individual between the ages of 15 to 39 to have cancer. It’s a fact: The National Cancer Institute estimated that only 4.4% of all new cases of cancer in 2023 would occur in this age range. But this rarity has caused a severe problem. This community, often called the AYA (adolescent and young adult) cancer community, has become severely underserved.

 

A variety of factors play into this reality:

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• AYAs   don't have a true place in the cancer community—both culturally and logistically. Often time, the younger end of the AYA spectrum is grouped with children and the older with elder adults. Lines are blurred, and the blurrier the lines, the less society can understand the true needs of this unique community.

• Cancer interrupts some of the most formative and pivotal years of young people’s lives. These individuals are beginning or moving up in their careers, starting families, developing skills, learning, making mistakes, and taking risks. Because of the special stage of life these individuals are in, they face higher psychological issues from having cancer, including negative body image and isolation.

• AYAs also face additional unique challenges, including infertility issues, risk of subsequent cancers, and a longer road of experiencing the aftermath of cancer as compared to older survivors. 

 

These individuals crave freedom and mourn the lives they once had. Cancer puts their young, exciting, hope-filled lives on pause. 

 

Unfortunately, one of the most restrictive and common consequences of having cancer as a young person is debt. Many AYAs have not had ample time to build financial security to tackle the crippling financial obligation that comes with medical bills and other expenses. According to the American Cancer Society, "...young adult survivors have higher rates of bankruptcy and more frequently forgo needed medical care due to cost compared to older survivors. Financial distress among AYA survivors is often compounded by non-medical costs, such as student loans and raising children." The freedom they hoped for once in remission is overshadowed by financial burden. Their lives are once again put on pause.

 

The 118 Foundation aims to change this narrative of neglect.