While survivors of childhood cancer are living longer than ever before, recent studies show that the health care and related needs of adolescent and young adult survivors are still poorly understood and served. Long-term cancer survival rates for young adults and adolescents are lower than those of other age groups. Lack of awareness about young adult survivorship, especially late effects and the need for follow-up care, has been identified as a primary factor. Lack of medical insurance, a general reluctance of young adults to seek medical care, and other issues also come into play. The following are some major studies on young adult cancer survivors:

Health Care of Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: A Report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, January 2004. A study of the type of outpatient medical care reported by young adult survivors of childhood cancer and factors associated with limited care. The researchers concluded that primary care physicians provide health care for most of this growing high-risk population. They noted that to optimize risk-based care, it is critical that cancer centers and primary care physicians develop methods to communicate effectively and longitudinally with survivors.

Closing the Gap: Research and Care Imperatives for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: Report of the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Progress Review Group, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, LIVESTRONG Young Adult Alliance, 2006. The goal of this report is to organize individuals and raise public awareness of cancer as a major health problem among adolescents and young adults, and of the unique challenges this group of survivors faces.

Cancer Epidemiology in Older Adolescents and Young Adults 15 - 29 Years of Age, Including SEER Incidence and Survival: 1975 - 2000, Children's Oncology Group and National Cancer Institute's SEER. This monograph is the first to collect population-based cancer incidence, mortality, and survival data specific to cancers that occur among adolescents and young adults. Also includes epidemiological data and risk factors for the development of age-specific cancers.

Childhood Cancer Survivorship: Improving Care and Quality of Life, Institute of Medicine, August 2003. Comprehensive policy agenda that links improved health care delivery and follow-up, investments in education and training for health care providers, and expanded research to improve the long-term outlook for the more than 270,000 childhood cancer survivors.

From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor, Lost in Transition, Institute of Medicine, November 2005. Book that focuses on survivors of adult cancer during the phase of care that follows primary treatment. Raises awareness of the medical, functional and psychosocial consequences of cancer and its treatment.

A National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship: Advancing Public Health Strategies, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lance Armstrong Foundation, April 2004. A public health effort to address the issues faced by the growing number of cancer survivors living with, through, and beyond cancer. Identifies and prioritizes cancer survivorship needs and proposes strategies for addressing them.

Living Beyond Cancer: Finding a New Balance, President's Cancer Panel 2003 Annual Report, US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. An advisory group established by Congress that reports directly to the President of the United States on progress and problems in the nation's effort to reduce the burden of cancer.

Health Insurance Access to Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer in North Carolina. A look at discrimination against childhood cancer survivors in the private health insurance market.

Too Young for This: Facing Cancer Under 40. A New York Times article on cancer survival rates among young adults. The article, published Jan. 30, 2007, is based on a report released by the National Cancer Institute and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.