Latest data shows young people still missing out on crucial aspects of cancer care

The National Cancer Patient Experience Survey of people aged under 16, which covers people receiving treatment in England, asked young people and their parents and carers for their views on the medical, emotional and practical support they had received during and since their diagnosis. 

Among parents and carers of 12–15-year-olds, 38 percent said their child hadn’t received the mental health or psychological support they needed when they were diagnosed. Previous research from Teenage Cancer Trust shows that most young people with cancer experience poor mental health, and current national provisions for psycho-oncology are insufficient to meet the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer. The charity says that every young person with cancer must have the option to access to expert psychological support from a trained psychologist, from diagnosis, through treatment, and for a minimum of two years post-treatment, backed up by long-term dedicated funding. 

More than a third (37 percent) of young people aged 12-15 saw their GP at least three times before receiving a referral to cancer services for diagnosis. Many of the cancers experienced by young people can’t be prevented, making speed of diagnosis the most important way to reduce the impact of cancer. The latest NCPES results show the importance of providing support to those healthcare professionals across the broad range of primary care – including GPs, Accident and Emergency, walk-in centres, opticians and physios – to increase their awareness of symptoms of cancer in young people. 

The survey also asked parents and carers whether their child had been offered the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial: 38 per cent said they had not been. A Teenage Cancer Trust report published last year showed that teenagers and young adults have lower rates of participation in trials than some other age groups, impacting their access to treatments that can improve their symptoms and survival rates. Improving young people’s access to clinical trials is vital so they can benefit from the latest advances in research, including new treatments. No young person with cancer should miss out on the opportunity to take part in a clinical trial just because of their age. Teenagers and young adults with cancer must be included in national initiatives to increase the availability of clinical trials.  

The Government’s National Cancer Plan for England includes commitments to improve access to psychological support, speed up diagnosis and increase availability of clinical trials for young people with cancer. Teenage Cancer Trust will continue working with government, the NHS and partners to make sure teenagers and young adults with cancer aren’t forgotten.