Young adults who have a cancer that typically occurs in children and adolescents, such as brain tumors, leukemia, osteosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma, may fare better if treated by a pediatric oncologist.
[18] Cancer in adolescents and young adults often differs in terms of signs and symptoms, histology, prognosis, and rates of survivals.
[18] Roughly a third of young adults in the United States reported that cancer had a negative impact on their employment plans.
In another US study, 23% of adolescents and young adults with cancer reported unemployment due to health issues compared with 14% of controls.
[18] Social relationships and educational achievements during the formative adolescent and young adult years are very important, and studies in the United States have documented that a cancer experience can negatively affect the attainment of these goals.
Marriage rates were lower among young adults with cancer, and they were more likely to have divorced or separated than peers in an age-related control group.
Adolescents and young adults also reported fears about sexual attractiveness due to physical changes as well as fertility-related changes caused by cancer.
Young people with cancer whose diagnosis is delayed or takes longer are at increased risk of anxiety, depression and reduced quality of life.
"[23] In general, the uses of social media for healthcare communication include reducing stigma and facilitating dialogue between patients.
[24] According to the European Society for Medical Oncology, cancer patients participating in an online support group reported greater "psycho-social impact—alleviation of seclusion versus induction of anxiety.
[26] Cervical cancer also declined among adolescents and young adults in the United States, which may be attributable to the introduction of the HPV vaccine.
Rates among older adults increased only in cancers of the thyroid, kidney, liver, and small intestine.