Today, the HSE the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) is delighted to launch the second Child, Adolescent and Young Adult (CAYA) cancer programme Annual Report 2022.
The report highlights progress and achievements in the area of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer care during 2022.
Professor Risteárd Ó Laoide, National Director, National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) says that “This report outlines the progress and achievements in 2022 in the area of AYA cancer care. I would like to express my gratitude to the multi-disciplinary cancer teams, cancer charities, and AYA cancer patients and their families, who have worked tirelessly to develop optimum cancer care for AYA cancer patients.”
Professor Owen Smith, National Clinical Lead for Children, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers at National Cancer Control Programme, HSE says, “Around 200 children up to the age of 16 and a further 180 adolescents between the ages of 16 and 25 years are diagnosed with cancer here every year.
In 2022, our work centred around improving the care and treatment for these children, with a particular focus on adolescents and young adults with cancer.
While child and older adult cancers have seen a large increase in survival rates, the same however cannot be said for some specific adolescent and young adult cancers.
He continued, “We recruited additional CAYA staff in 2022, all or the majority of whom are working directly in delivering services to children, adolescent and young adults with cancer. The AYA clinical leads for each site have been nominated. We continue to work hard to recruit staff and will continue into 2023.”
A key focus in 2022 was publishing and implementing the recommendations set out in the Framework for the Care and Support of Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA) with Cancer in Ireland.
Ms Fiona Bonas, Assistant National Director, NCCP says that “Significant progress has been made in implementing the Framework which now sees a network of three new AYA designated units in place based at St. James’s Hospital, Cork University Hospital and Galway University Hospital linking to a central hub at Children’s Health Ireland.“
Key Messages for 2022
- ‘The Hangout’ A six month pilot programme aimed to create a non- clinical environment for Adolescent and Young Adult cancer patients in St James’s Hospital.
- The first multidisciplinary Adolescent and Young adult cancer education day was held on the 21st November 2022 at St. James’s Hospital in conjunction with the Irish Cancer Society and the NCCP.
- Establishment of Young Persons Advisory Group (YPAG) at National Children’s Cancer Service. This service will ensure that children and young people with cancer will have a voice, share their opinions, and be actively involved in the design and delivery of clinical research and services, to make sure they are relevant and suited to their needs.
- Enabling access to CAYA Cancer Patients blood results via Healthlink between Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin, Mercy University Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
- A Model of Care for Psycho-Oncology Services for CAYA with cancer and their families is being developed, and will be launched later this year.
- The NCCP welcomed the inclusion of childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer in the ‘significant ongoing illness’ criteria of DARE (Disability Access Route to Education). DARE is an alternative admissions route to third level for students whose disability or ongoing illness has had a negative impact on their second level education.
- Delivery of education on AYA palliative care for Royal College of Physicians Ireland and to both paediatric and adult based healthcare services.
Last updated on: 14 / 02 / 2023
