AUTHOR=Hovsepyan Shushan , Hoveyan Julieta , Sargsyan Lilit , Hakobyan Lusine , Krmoyan Lusine , Kamalyan Alisa , Manukyan Narek , Atoyan Stepan , Muradyan Armen , Danelyan Samvel , Tamamyan Gevorg , Bardakhchyan Samvel , Papyan Ruzanna TITLE=The unique challenges of AYA cancer care in resource-limited settings JOURNAL=Frontiers in Adolescent Medicine VOLUME=1 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/adolescent-medicine/articles/10.3389/fradm.2023.1279778 DOI=10.3389/fradm.2023.1279778 ISSN=2813-8589 ABSTRACT=Introduction

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer represent a distinct group with exceptional and unique characteristics. The survival rates for this age group are worse than in children or adults. Cancer care for this population is a challenge, not only for low-income countries but also for the developed world. This review addresses the unique challenges adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer in low-income countries face.

Methods

Two individual authors conducted the literature review to present the global burden of AYAs in resource-limited settings. The articles selected focused on AYA care from Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Results

Among the challenges of managing AYAs with cancer are the absence of national and/or hospital cancer registries, and a lack of adequate infrastructure, AYA-dedicated programs, appropriate psycho-social support, fertility preservation, and genetic counseling services. Furthermore, education and training activities specifically dedicated to the care of AYAs diagnosed with cancer are scarce in those countries.

Conclusion

Implementing a dedicated AYA program in resource-limited settings will be critical in providing patient-centered care bolstered by age-appropriate infrastructure and comprehensive clinical, psycho-social, and allied health support. It will significantly reduce the treatment abandonment rate, diminish the duration of diagnosis delay, and alleviate emotional detachment and disarray.