First Conference of Society for Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology

Screen Shot 2013-09-16 at 1.48.31 PMThe Society for Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology was founded to engage professionals who are dedicated to improving adolescent and young adult cancer care across the world. It promotes interdisciplinary research, education, and collaboration in order to advance understanding of the unique biology and treatment needs, such as fertility management, of adolescent and young adult (age 15 – 39) cancer patients. Under the helm of Leonard Sender, MD, the society and its partner Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology have begun raising awareness of these critical needs and are proud to announce their first-ever meeting on October 16-17, 2013.

This first meeting at the University of California, Irvine, will include discussions on many of the critical issues in adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology, such as the importance of prevention and early diagnosis in young patients. Considerations for the periods after diagnosis will also be discussed including fertility planning by clinician and oncofertility champion, Laxmi Kondapalli, MD, who will host a seminar on Eliminating Oncofertility: Reducing Fertility Risks in Cancer Patients. Rebecca Block, MSW, PhD, who recently presented her research at the 2013 Oncofertility Conference, will also discuss her fertility preservation decision tool for young women.

In this time of health care change, the meeting will critically include discussions of the role of AYA advocacy and legal issues in oncology care. Such speakers will include Matthew Zachary, from young adult advocacy organization Stupid Cancer, and Monica Bryant, Esq. from Triage Cancer. In addition, the keynote seminar will include information on the next-generation of health record ownership. Ryan Panchadsaram, a Senior Advisor in the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House, will discuss the much-awaited Blue Button project, to empower patients with access to their own medical records.

Together, this impassioned group of professionals and advocates at the first conference will raise the bar for research and treatment in AYA oncology. We look forward to hearing their insights.