Supportive Oncology
Our team includes oncology social workers, psychologists, dietitians and other specialists to support and guide patients coping with the physical, emotional, social and practical impact of cancer.
Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Program
Each year, about 89,500 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) between the ages of 15 - 39 are diagnosed with cancer in the U.S., almost six times the number of cases diagnosed in children up to 14 years of age.
Young adults living with cancer confront unique challenges related to work, school, health insurance, relationships, sexuality and fertility, as well as emotional distress and depression. Lurie Cancer Center’s Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Program provides programs and services to address these concerns and support the needs of young adults with cancer.
What We're Doing About It
Led by clinical psychologist Stacy Sanford, PhD, and oncologist, Jennifer Reichek, MD, the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program provides specialized services and resources for young people affected by cancer at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. The resources and services we offer are aligned with nationally established guidelines, or standards of care, to meet the complex needs of our patients.
The AYA Cancer Program brings together experts from a wide range of disciplines, offering access to the world-class resources of the Lurie Cancer Center, including supportive care, clinical services and cutting-edge clinical trials for patients with all types of cancer.
Contact us at NAYAC@northwestern.edu. Sign up for our newsletter with updated event and resource information or follow us on Instagram and Facebook @lurieaya. See also our resource guide for adolescents and young adults.
Specialized Services & Support for AYAs
AYA & Caregiver Groups
We offer both virtual and in-person support groups for young adults between the ages of 18 and 39 as well as virtual support groups for their caregivers.
Meetings begin with a 30-minute presentation, followed by a group discussion. Advance registration is required. Please contact Jennifer Carrera at Jennifer.carrera@nm.org to register.
AYA Hangouts
Patients, families, and friends are invited to join us for games, speakers and fun low key events scheduled intermittently throughout the year. Visit us on instagram or contact Jennifer Carrera at Jennifer.carrera@nm.org for more information.
Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Navigation and Supportive Care
Jennifer Carrera, LCSW and Andrea Scott, RN, BSN, OCN specialize in advocating for our patients who were diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15-39. They collaboratively serve AYAs and their loved ones before, during and after treatment to assure they receive the multitude of resources and supportive care services available to meet their individual needs.
Contact Jennifer Carrera, LCSW, at jennifer.carrera@nm.org or Andrea Scott, RN, BSN, OCN at Andrea.Scott@nm.org
Fertility Preservation
Many cancer treatments affect fertility. The best time to talk about fertility preservation is before treatment begins.
Kristin Smith, our Patient Navigator for Fertility Preservation, walks patients and providers through the process, explaining the options for each individual. Kristin also works with the oncology teams to integrate fertility preservation into each treatment plan, and provides insurance and financial guidance to patients and their families.
Contact Kristin Smith at oncofertility@northwestern.edu or 312-503-3378 to learn more or schedule an appointment.
AYA Program Coordinator
As the AYA Program Coordinator at Lurie Cancer Center and Lurie Children’s, Brynn Fowler, MPH, helps to facilitate our patient advisory boards, organizes educational and social events, and assists with AYA advocacy initiatives. In addition, Brynn serves as a liaison between AYA program leaders and the AYA population.
Contact Brynn Fowler, MPH at Brynn.Fowler@northwestern.edu
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials (research studies) evaluate new drugs, treatments and interventions. They increase understanding and knowledge about the best ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. Almost every cancer treatment that is saving lives today is the result of a clinical trial.
Our AYA patients have access to state-of-the art cancer care and innovative clinical trials offered by the Lurie Cancer Center, one of only 52 Comprehensive Cancer Centers designated by the National Cancer Institute.
Contact cancertrials@northwestern.edu or call 312-695-1102 to learn more.
View a list of clinical trials offered at the Lurie Cancer Center, and talk with your care team to decide if a clinical trial is right for you.
Palliative Care
Palliative care is specialized medical care to control pain and relieve other symptoms to improve quality of life. It is an important aspect of cancer care that can begin at any stage of illness and be provided together with anti-cancer treatments.
Palliative medicine specialist, Collin Hanson, MD works with young adults, their loved ones, and their care team by providing an extra layer of support, to ensure treatment plans are consistent with each individual’s goals and values.
Contact the Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care program at 312-926-0001 to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Surveillance & Survivorship Care
It’s important for young adult cancer survivors to have a personalized plan for screening and surveillance. The Cancer Survivorship Institute at Lurie Cancer Center provides access to specialized survivorship clinics and services offering long-term follow-up care. Call 312.695.0990 to learn more or schedule an appointment.
STAR Program
The STAR Program (Survivors Taking Action & Responsibility) assists adult survivors of childhood cancer with the transition to long-term follow-up care. The program provides young adults who were diagnosed at the age of 21 or younger, with state- of-the-art, comprehensive survivorship care.
BOARD39
A patient advocacy group within the AYA Cancer Program, BOARD39 is comprised of cancer survivors diagnosed before the age of 39. BOARD39 supports the mission of the program by advising AYA Program team members, offering feedback and identifying priorities to connect and empower AYAs.
The group meets quarterly, and informs and assists with event planning, resource development, and special projects throughout the year. Please contact Brynn Fowler, MPH at Brynn.Fowler@northwestern.edu to learn more.
Navigating Challenges
Navigating the challenges of health insurance, cancer-related expenses and medical billing can be overwhelming. Northwestern Medicine offers information and resources to help young adults make informed decisions.
In addition, a growing number of organizations offer information and advocacy for young adults affected by cancer.
