Youth Cancer Services

YOUTH CANCER SERVICES

Youth Cancer Service

Too young. Too serious. Too urgent. Youth Cancer Awareness Month starts now in April 2026. It's time to raise awareness, drive support, and demand a system that truly meets their needs of young cancer patients.

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Find a YCS

Specialist treatment and support for young people with cancer aged 15-25 is provided by the Youth Cancer Services (YCS) based in major hospitals throughout Australia. About 75% of newly diagnosed young cancer patients are now being treated and supported through the Youth Cancer Services.

two males sitting on a rock by the ocean having a conversation. image for youth cancer services and young adult cancer

six female friends laughing and hugging each other at a park - image for youth cancer services and young adult cancer

Other support for young cancer patients

Canteen provides a wide range of other support services including the opportunity to connect with other young cancer patients who understand what you’re going through.

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Beat it by Stotty

Canteen has formed a partnership with beat it. by Stotty, an organisation committed to providing cancer patients a source of comfort and support during the early stages of diagnosis.

Wanting to make a positive impact, beat.it by Stotty founder, Rebekah Stott established the company to inspire and support people going through similar challenges as she did during her own cancer diagnosis and treatment. The challenges Rebekah faced when bouncing between hospital and home, helped form the idea for a specially designed travel bag created for young patients that provided a bit of comfort and organisation during this uncertain time.

Rebekah created beat.it packs which include a hospital bag filled with essential contents and compartments to store important items.

With the help of YCS, Canteen and board member Joey Lynch, the project is currently in its pilot stage, with beat it. packs being shared with young patients through NSW/ ACT Youth Cancer Services.

Father and Son walking down a hospital cancer ward corridor - image for young adult cancer and youth cancer services

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Health professionals and researchers

Canteen conducts internationally recognised research to inform best practice care and increase the understanding of cancer’s impact on all aspects of a young person’s life. We also develop reports, such as the Economic Cost of Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults as well as evidence-based practice guides to inform psychosocial management and care for young patients.

Canteen Reports

Measures and Manuals

Resources

The Youth Cancer Service provides age-appropriate information and resources to support young people aged 15–25 with cancer, as well as manuals and measures for the healthcare professionals who treat them.

VIEW ALL RESOURCES

Need another language? Our Living with Cancer & Beyond Guide has been translated into six languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Thai.

TRANSLATED RESOURCES

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Helpful Articles

More helpful info for dealing with cancer

Support for young cancer patients and their families

Overcoming Exam Stress

Exams are important for future opportunities, but can be extremely stressful, and these feelings can be compounded by a cancer experience. Read some tips on how best to cope.

Sex and cancer

When you’re feeling sick, sex may be the last thing on your mind. But, when you are feeling better you might wonder about what effect your cancer or cancer treatment might have on your sex life.

Dating when you have cancer

Dating and starting new relationships can be hard enough at the best of times! But after a cancer diagnosis, it may seem almost impossible.

Coping with cancer when you're trans and gender-diverse

There are a range of steps trans and gender diverse people may take to affirm their gender. There is no right or wrong way to affirm your gender.

Dealing with cancer when you’re born with intersex variations

Having an intersex variation is about biological features (such as sexual anatomy, reproductive organs, hormonal patterns and/or chromosomal patterns) and not your sexual orientation or gender identity.

Your rights at the doctor when you're LGBTQI+

Everyone has certain rights when receiving health care in Australia. These rights are set out in the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights. They apply to the care you receive in public and private hospitals and by your GP.

Dealing with the emotional effects of cancer on siblings

Best friends or sworn enemies? Probably both – and it can move from one to the other in just a few seconds. Whatever your relationship with your brother or sister was like before, it’s likely to change – for better or worse – now that cancer has come into your life.

Beyond cancer - Survivorship and redefining your life plans

During cancer treatment, you might not have had the time or energy to think about much more than surviving. But when your treatment finally ends, what do you do now?