Young Adults with Cancer
When most people think of cancer, they may think of a disease affecting young children or the elderly. But over 80,000 adults under 45 are diagnosed with cancer each year. Having cancer as a young adult feels different because it is different.
If you are a young adult at any part of the cancer journey, we provide resources that are tailored just for you. We address your unique challenges and concerns because we know every person’s experience with cancer is different. We recognize you have choices and decisions to make, so we help you determine what is right for you. We want you to feel well informed and well supported.
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Young Adults with Cancer Program at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Our Mission and Objectives
Mission
The mission of the Young Adult Initiative at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is to support young adults through their cancer journey, and to empower these patients and survivors to address all of their needs. From fertility struggles, to loneliness, to parenting, financial stress and beyond, our comprehensive team of physicians, nurses, social workers, spiritual leaders, dieticians, wellness experts, research scientists, and patient advocates have established an initiative that is focused on personalizing care for young adults with cancer. Our young adult patient advocates have reflected upon their own personal experiences with cancer to further advise the team to form a patient centered perspective.
If you are a young adult at any part of the cancer journey, we want to provide resources that are tailored just for you. We want to address the unique challenges and concerns you may have. We know that every person’s experience with cancer is different and we recognize you have choices and decisions to make. We are here to help you navigate what is right for you. We want you to feel well informed and well supported.
Objectives
- Maximize the overall outcome of the young adult cancer patient population (20-45 y/o) with multidisciplinary support
- Identify barriers, unique challenges, and perspectives of young adults with cancer
- Collection of information to identify the causes, treatment, and long-term impact of cancer care on young adults
Getting a Colonoscopy: Who, Why and When
- Watch the video with Spanish subtitles
- Watch the video with Arabic subtitles
- Watch the video with Chinese subtitles
Patient Resources
Advisory Board Members
Leadership and Administration
- Co-Directors: Cathy Eng, MD, Elizabeth Davis, MD and Bhagirathbhai Dholaria, MD
- Program Manager: Brittany O’Brian
- News and Communication: Kelley Robbins and Tommy Wilemon
- Patient and Family Resource Center: Julie Bulger
- Administrative and GI Onc Research: Teresa Dugger, Amala Benny
VUMC Network:
- Advance Practitioner Representatives: Anne Austin, NP
- Diversity and Inclusion: Sonya Reid, MD, MSCI
- Epidemiology: Andreana N. Holowatyj, PhD
- Fertility: Michelle Roach, MD
- Health and Fitness: Eric Jarvis, PT, MPT: Dayani Center
- Integrative Medicine: Kathryn Hansen, ANP-BC, Osher Center for Integrative Health
- Medical Oncology: Sonya Reid, MD, MSCI
- Nursing: Teresa Robinette, LPN
- Nutrition:
- Oncology Fellow: Chris Cann, MD
- Palliative Care: Rajiv Agarwal, MD, Sarah Martin, MD
- Pastoral Care: Ian Cullen, MDiv, BCC
- Prevention: Reid Ness, MD, MPH
- Social work: Lindsay Grisanti, LMSW
- Surgery: Deepa Magge, MD
Patient Advocates:
- Sarah Denger, Sonia Morris, Ashley Nicholson, Alex Waddey
Community Partners:
- Meg Grunke, Survivor Fitness
- Katharine Ray, The Heimerdinger Foundation/Meals 4 Health & Healing
- Megan Forshey, LCSW, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee
- Austin Hatcher Foundation