The Young Adult Program at Dana-Farber (YAP@DFCI) is part of our Adult Psychosocial Oncology Program; it is also part of an international initiative to recognize and address the unique circumstances related to lifestyle, work, school, family life, and emotional development that young adults face when living with cancer.
YAP@DFCI provides emotional support services, opportunities to meet other young adults receiving treatment, and educational programs aimed at enhancing knowledge and self-advocacy skills.
Cancer is a major disruption in a patient’s life, which can result in feelings of anxiety, sadness, fear, anger, and isolation. This is especially true for young adults with cancer, exacerbating an already stressful and often difficult time in their lives. We’ve addressed this problem with iaya, an online platform designed to help young adults with cancer build a sense of community and develop coping skills to address their emotional needs.