Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Service
Being diagnosed with cancer at any time is a difficult and traumatic experience. A diagnosis during adolescence and young adulthood can be particularly challenging as these individuals are undergoing the physical and emotional changes of emerging adulthood.
AYA patients are unique in that they have special needs that are not typical of younger patients treated at children’s hospitals or older patients treated at adult hospitals. The Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Service at CHLA serves individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 13 and approximately 21 years.
In order to serve the entire AYA age range and to facilitate treatment of older AYAs at adult hospitals if appropriate, our AYA service is one arm of an overarching AYA Oncology Program, AYA@USC . Our involvement in this program allows collaboration between the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and USC Norris Cancer Hospital, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and Los Angeles County Hospital. This program offers a unique breadth and scope of multi-disciplinary treatment and care for AYAs with cancer, and allows for collaboration through clinical care, research, education, and community outreach.
Our AYA service at CHLA aims to assist our patients and their families in the areas of fertility, education, social and emotional support. We work closely with the Teen and Family Support Service allowing AYAs to come together in various events outside of the hospital setting.
Programs and Services
- Fertility Assessment and Preservation
- Psychological Evaluation and Support
- Long-Term Survivor Service
- AYA Resources
The medications and other therapies required to treat cancer can affect the ability to have children, also called fertility, later in life.
The best time to discuss these effects is before treatment begins. Our AYA service is available to discuss how your treatment can affect your fertility and if anything should be done prior to starting treatment to preserve your fertility. We have a developed a multi-disciplinary team including oncologists, endocrinologists, gynecologists, and urologists to help you understand your options.
Male Fertility Partner: Dr. Mary Samplaski
Female Fertility Partner: USC Fertility
Sperm Banking Partner: USC Fertility
Our Teen and Family Support Service (TFSS) as part of the HOPE Behavioral Health Service works closely with our AYA program by providing systematic evaluation and consultation for all of our newly diagnosed AYA patients and providing an array of interventions to positive adaptation, build resilience, and empower adolescents, young adults, and their families.
We believe that cancer survivorship starts at diagnosis. This is why we work closely with our Long-Term Information, Follow-Up and Evaluation (LIFE) Cancer Survivorship & Transition Service at Children's Hospital Los Angeles provides services that help empower cancer survivors to embrace their future as healthy and fulfilled individuals. Our service is unique, in that is provides a formal transition for cancer survivors from the LIFE program at CHLA to the LIFE program at USC Norris Cancer Hospital. This transition is formalized so that our AYA cancer patients have continued and life-long survivorship care.
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times
Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times creates a positive long-lasting impact on children with cancer and their families by providing fun-filled, medically supervised, cost-free, year-round camp programs.
310-268-8488 or 800-625-7295
Fertile Hope
Fertile Hope is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reproductive information, support and hope to cancer patients whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.
First Descents
First Descents provides whitewater kayaking and other outdoor adventure experiences to promote emotional, psychological and physical healing for young adults with cancer.
Imerman Angels
Imerman Angels is a not-for-profit organization providing one-on-one cancer support: connecting cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers. Imerman Angels partners a person fighting cancer with someone who has beaten the same type of cancer.
Stupid Cancer (Also known as: I'm Too Young for This Foundation)
A global support community for young adults affected by cancer who get busy living and rock on. Our mission is to end isolation and improve quality of life by providing "one-stop" access to hard to find resources, peer support and social networks.
The SAMFund
The SAMFund helps young adult survivors reclaim their independence and keep moving forward after a cancer diagnosis. We offer financial assistance in the form of grants and scholarships, host groups for the young adult survivor community, and hold fundraising events throughout the year.
The Ulman Fund for Young Adults
A connection site for survivors (diagnosed as children and young adults), parents and young adults with cancer, dealing with a variety of topics.
888-393-FUND (3863)