Young adults with cancer are helping shape the future of care
Learn more about Anew adolescent and young adult cancer care research.
For most teenagers and young adults, a cancer diagnosis is unthinkable. But for Garrett Stalker, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age 17, and Stacey Brownell, who received two breast cancer diagnoses in her early thirties—it’s a reality.
Navigating cancer care as a young adult
“Being a teenager with cancer is exactly what you imagine: physically exhausting, mentally draining, and isolating,” says Stalker. “If you are lucky enough to come out on top, there is a laundry list of long-term effects—both mental and physical—that need to be monitored and dealt with for decades after. A constant reminder of how much your life has changed.”
In Canada, nearly 9,200 adolescents and young adults are diagnosed with cancer each year. Navigating school or work, finances, fertility, mental health and rebuilding life after treatment, adolescents and young adults (AYA: ages 15 to 39) with cancer have different needs than children or older adults.
“For me, the most challenging aspect of navigating cancer as an AYA was returning to ‘normal’ life after active treatment ended,” shares Brownell. “I struggled significantly to resume full-time work due to prolonged fatigue and challenges securing long-term disability. This led to considerable emotional distress with inadequate supports.”
Addressing the resource gap
Both Stalker and Brownell emphasized a critical gap in available resources for young adults navigating cancer. This realization inspired them to get involved with Anew, an AYA cancer care research collaborative at Royal Roads University, working alongside young adults, Island Health, BC Cancer, BC Children’s Hospital and community partners working to improve AYA cancer care and support.
Isolation, they say, is one of the most painful parts of navigating the cancer care system as a young adult. Being able to access support groups and meet others with similar experiences is a vital lifeline during an extremely difficult time.
“[AYAs] often feel isolated, experience a sense of missing out or being left behind by peers, and face higher levels of depression and anxiety than older cancer patients,” explains Brownell.
“Cancer also imposes a significant financial burden, as AYAs often have not yet established careers with sick leave benefits, may need to travel outside their communities for treatment, and face high costs for fertility preservation.”
Garrett Stalker (left) and Stacey Brownell (middle) work with Cheryl Heykoop (right), associate professor of Leadership Studies and leader of the Anew Research Collaborative to reimagine young adult cancer care.
Anew's mission
Anew is working with young adults who have experienced cancer, care providers and community partners to build and deliver resources that address these gaps in support, giving young people experiencing cancer a voice and opportunity to create change. Now, with the help of Stalker and Brownell, the organization is raising funds to support their goal of piloting a young adult-centered patient navigation and support model in Greater Victoria by 2028.
The pilot will include a peer support program, financial guidance and practical resources, and programs tailored to AYA needs, such as fertility support, counselling, and return-to-work planning.
“I am involved with Anew because I want to be a part of the change,” says Stalker. “I want to work with Anew helping to define what an outstanding AYA support program should look like in BC/Yukon.”
“Anew brings value by driving tangible improvements in AYA cancer care,” says Brownell. “They recognize that AYAs' perspectives are essential for meaningful change and demonstrate integrity through collaboration as the key to innovation.”