According to  National Cancer Institute, about 89,000 adolescents and young adults (ages 15 – 39) are diagnosed with cancer in the United States each year. This accounts for about 5% of cancer diagnoses in the United States, eight times higher than cancer diagnosis among children ages 0-14.

Because cancer in young people is rare, there are many unique challenges that patients face throughout their cancer journey. It is important to find the right doctors and hospitals that not only specialize in treatment of AYA cancer, but also provide holistic and multidisciplinary care to address psychological and social concerns for patients.

The newest oncology program at the Keck Medicine of USC, AYA@USC – The Adolescent and Young Adult Program, was established in 2013 and represented a collaboration between the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Los Angeles County Hospital. The program is based on a joint medical leadership model by USC leaders in pediatric and adult oncology, in a major academic medical center and as part of an NIH – funded Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

Our mission is to improve health outcomes and quality of life of adolescents and young adults with cancer through supportive care and research that address the medical, physical, psychosocial, spiritual, financial and legal aspects for these patients; to promote awareness of AYA oncology among healthcare providers and deliver collaboratively an efficient and effective model of care; to establish a dynamic AYA cancer peer support community in Southern California area and beyond through psychosocial support, advocacy, education, community outreach and partnership.

One day young people with cancer will not feel helpless or isolated anymore!