Cancer is the second leading cause of death (after accidents) in children and adolescents in the United States.
Statistics show that depending on one's age, cancers can differ in site of origin, tissue structure/organization type and incidence. For example, cancer occurring between the ages of 15 and 30 is 2.7 times more common than cancer occurring during the first 15 years of life. Yet it is much less common than cancer in older age groups and accounts for just 2 percent of all invasive cancer.
Years ago, childhood cancer was almost uniformly fatal. Today, most patients survive if treated appropriately. However, 70,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer every year and strides in cancer treatment have generally bypassed those between the ages of 15-30. The incidence of cancer in this age group has increased steadily during the past quarter century. The facts are astounding. Further advances will benefit from efforts to increase awareness and prevent delays in diagnosis for this age group.
The main objective of the Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Initiative at UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital is to not only to raise awareness, but help advance the development of new and needed approaches in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Our unique initiative specifically caters to the adolescent and young adult population.
The AYA Initiative is committed to building upon our past successes through partnership and collaboration. To improve the nation's overall participation in the clinical trials process and ultimately provide better outcomes for young adults with cancer this philosophy is a necessity.
We recognize the fact that this philosophy has allowed UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital to provide the very best care and research in the field.