Abstract
Cancer in teenagers is relatively uncommon. Few health professionals in oncology are
familiar with caring for teenagers, although most would acknowledge them as a characterisable
clientele with specific needs different to those of others with cancer, whether younger
or older. Many of those diagnosed with cancer between 13 and 20 years of age will
be cured, often after intensive, toxic and life-changing treatment. The provision
of the highly specialised medical and nursing care needed for cancer treatment must
go alongside meeting the specific needs associated with this age group, an age of
transition from childhood to adulthood. Care provision for teenagers must therefore
address the treatment, information, educational, social and other support requirements
of teenagers and their families. This must be done through the work of a highly specialised,
experienced multidisciplinary team. A dedicated Teenage Cancer Unit (TCU) provides
an appropriate environment in which teenagers may feel comfortable and from which
such a multidisciplinary team can function. Such units cannot provide every aspect
of a teenager's care throughout their cancer journey so must work in harmony with
other agencies, particularly those in the community. TCUs are most successful when
they are of sufficient size to ensure a critical mass of staff and experience. Not
all teenagers with cancer will be treated on a TCU and other models that can meet
both medical and age-specific needs are required.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
September 11,
2003
Received in revised form:
September 9,
2003
Received:
July 23,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
