Emotional Support for Young People with Cancer

As a young person, you’re probably new to the health care system and may not have had to make major health decisions or navigate the health care system. Use the strategies listed below to gain a sense of control as you begin treatment.

Learning about your cancer type and treatment options
Learning as much as you can about the type of cancer you have, and your treatment options, will help you take an active role in your care. Some young people prefer to get information directly from their health care provider, whereas others like to read everything they can about their cancer type and treatment options. It may help to think about the type of information-seeker and learner you are and to share your preferences with your health care team. Learn more about how to find cancer information you can trust.

There’s a lot of information online and not all of it is relevant to your specific cancer diagnosis or to cancer in young adults. It’s important to seek out trustworthy websites and to confirm what you find is relevant with your health care team. 

Based on your age and cancer type, you may be treated according to a pediatric cancer treatment protocol or an adult cancer treatment protocol. 

Advocating for yourself 
Learning to speak up, even if you are nervous, is an essential skill to gain during this cancer journey. Speak up about what is important to you, whether it be treatment preferences, questions about side effects, or ways to manage other issues that affect your life. While it may be challenging, especially in the beginning, speaking up will help you get the information you need to make important decisions. 

You may also want to ask your medical team to recommend apps on your phone that can help you track key information such as appointments, medications, and side effects. Some people choose to use a note-taking app on their phone or bring a notebook to appointments—to jot down questions ahead of time and notes from the appointment. 

Asking questions 
It may help to think of the people on your treatment team as coaches or teachers—knowledgeable and supportive experts who are giving you the best possible care and advice. To get the most from your health care team, jot down your questions before a visit and list concerns in order of importance. During your appointment, repeat back key information and ask clarifying questions to make sure you’ve understood important information. Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor.

Some side effects faced by young people with cancer are different than for older people. For example, as a young person you may need to be proactive in asking about fertility preservation methods and coping with sexual side effects. Here are tips to help you manage these and other cancer treatment side effects. It may also help to ask your social worker or nurse about strategies to balance the demands of treatment with attending school, working, or caring for young children. Here are tips to help address these and other aspects of daily life during cancer treatment.

Getting support from AYA programs and patient navigators   
Adolescent and young adult programs as well as patient navigation programs are increasingly being offered at many hospitals and cancer centers. Having access to a patient navigator (also called a patient advocate) can be helpful, especially for young people. 

Patient navigators can guide you through the health care system and help you through the various steps of diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. They also help with practical matters, such as how to talk with your health care team, set up appointments, and identify appropriate financial, legal, and social support. 

A growing number of NCI-Designated Cancer Centers and organizations serving young adults with cancer have young adult patient navigators or can advise you on a remote patient navigator.

Changes brought on by an illness such as cancer can be challenging, and at times feel overwhelming. Here are suggestions that have helped other young people: 

Keep relationships meaningful and strong 
When you’re used to sharing your day-to-day adventures and accomplishments with friends, thinking about how to share a cancer diagnosis, and the rigors of treatment, can put you at a loss for words. Relationships may feel different, awkward, or strained. Friends may be silent because they don’t know what to say or what you need. It can sometimes feel like your life is moving backwards, especially if you’ve taken a break from college, quit a job, or moved back home to receive cancer treatment. Although you may put up a brave front to protect family and friends, being open about what you are going through is a good place to start with people you care about most.

Friends usually want to help but might not know how to reach out. You may need to take the first step. Sites such as CaringBridge, My Cancer Circle, MyLifeLine, and Lotsa Helping Hands have tools that can help you and your family manage the challenge of sharing updates and asking for support.

Find things that bring you joy 
When life is filled with change and uncertainty, it can help to think about the people and activities that are most important to you. Reflecting on who and what is most important can help you figure out ways to bring these things into your new normal. Doing so can help you stay grounded. Over time, you, like many other young people with cancer, may also choose to explore new interests or develop new skills. There are also programs at some cancer centers, and in your community, that offer art and music programs for patients.

Connect with young adult patients and advocates 
It may help to connect with other young people who can relate to your experiences. Many organizations listed on the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer page were started by young adult cancer survivors and/or their families. These organizations support adolescents and young adults affected by cancer through community building and other programs.

Books written by young adults with cancer, such as Planet Cancer and Everything Changes: The Insider’s Guide to Cancer in Your 20s and 30s may also be helpful. There’s also an annual conference called CancerCon that connects hundreds of adolescents and young adults who have been affected by cancer. 

Stay as active as possible 
Being physically active during treatment may help you feel better. Exercising can strengthen muscles that may otherwise become weak during treatment. It can also help to prevent fatigue and lift your spirits. What you may be able to do physically will vary over the course of treatment, ranging from movement exercises to strenuous workouts. Meeting with a physical therapist can help you to choose exercises that are best for you.

At times, when it’s all you can do to manage your daily routine, you’ll want to get advice from a social worker or occupational therapist. And when you’re up for it, you may want to look at the physical activity and outdoor adventures section of the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer page. Learn more about how others have adjusted to cancer and treatment.

It is as important to take care of your mental health as it is your physical health. Your emotions will shift as you go through treatment. It’s common to experience periods of anxiety and difficulty adjusting, as well as times of hope and optimism. Here are suggestions that can help you navigate this cancer journey: 

Acknowledge your emotions 
Although it’s normal to feel down at times, signs of depression are more serious and often include no longer enjoying your favorite activities, changes to sleeping habits, feeling worthless, and/or having thoughts about suicide. If you have these feelings every day for several weeks, they may be signs of depression. Learn more about adjusting to cancer, including feelings of anxiety and distress. Learn about emotions that are common in people with cancer.

Meet with a mental health expert 
Talking with friends and family may help. However, fears related to treatment, coping with distress, and issues with relationships can be difficult to talk about. Mental health experts specialize in caring for young people with cancer and can provide strategies and relaxation techniques that are tailored to you.

Mental health experts include counselors, psychologists, social workers, and psychiatrists. Learn about ways to adjust to anxiety and distress brought on by a cancer diagnosis or cancer treatment. 

Journal your journey 
Research has found that journaling can lower stress. Start small, a few minutes a day, and build up from there. There are different journaling strategies. Some people write down many thoughts and experiences. Others jot down a single thought or list a few things they are grateful for each day.

Young adult cancer survivors have written blogs such as the Life Interrupted series and started organizations such as Cactus Cancer Society that offer creative writing workshops. Many hospitals also offer journaling programs.

Find a support group 
While most hospitals offer cancer support groups, a growing number of hospitals also have teen- and young adult–specific groups and programs. Online and in-person support programs are also offered by many of the organizations listed on the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer page.  

Rely on your faith or belief system 
Focusing on your spiritual journey can help you to deal with hard times and existential questions. Coping with life and death issues as well as fear of recurrence can feel overwhelming. Focusing on your spiritual beliefs can offer powerful support and bring you strength. While not everyone identifies with a specific faith, some young people find that praying, meditating, or talking with a spiritual leader is helpful.

Many hospitals have spiritual care or chaplaincy department that offer spiritual care and support to the patients, their loved ones, and health care providers. Learn more about spirituality in cancer care.

Crisis hotlines offer support 
There are nationally available hotlines that offer support to you and your family, such as The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)’s hotline at: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is another service that you can call, text, or chat online with to get information to help you or someone you know.