Hearing you have cancer is tough and getting that news when you’re young can be a huge shock. The positive news is that many young people with blood cancer respond well to treatment. You can go on to live a full and active life. Everyone’s journey is different, and there may be challenging moments, but you’re not alone. Your care team and support network are here to help you through.
Why did I get a blood cancer?
We don’t usually know what causes blood cancer, but what we do know is that it’s not your fault. Nothing you did caused it. A few key things to keep in mind:
- You can’t catch blood cancer. It’s not contagious.
- Food or drinks don’t cause it. There’s no evidence linking blood cancer to anything you eat or drink.
- Most blood cancers aren’t inherited. They don’t usually run in families.
What do I tell my friends and family?
Telling friends and family about your diagnosis can be tough. They may feel confused or upset and not know what to do or say. There is no right way to talk to your friends and family. The most important thing is to talk about how you and they feel. Tell them how they can help, even by doing something ‘normal’.
Family often becomes a key support network. Especially when you’re feeling tired or unwell. If you’re in a relationship, your partner can also be an important source of support. They are someone you can talk to about your worries and hopes.
Who gets to make the decisions?
Some parents struggle to let their children make their own treatment decisions. While in other families, the person with cancer wants their family to be involved. It’s important to talk with your family about how much you want them to be part of the decisions. Don’t be afraid to say what you think when big medical decisions need to be made.
Legal decision-making age in Australia
- In all Australian states and territories, you legally become an adult at 18 years old.
- But if you are under 18, it doesn’t always mean you can’t make your own treatment decisions.
- There’s a legal principle called Gillick competence or the mature minor rule.
- Whether you, as a young person is considered mature enough depends on:
- Your understanding of the treatment.
- Your maturity and intelligence.
- The seriousness of the treatment being proposed.
- This isn’t a fixed rule by age. Doctors assess this on a case-by-case basis.
What about my future?
Everyone’s path is different. But many young people go on to live full, active, and meaningful lives. Treatments keep improving, and survival rates continue to rise.
Here are some things you can expect:
Your life goals are still possible
Many young people return to school, university, or work after treatment. Others travel, start relationships, build careers, or try new things. Your timeline might shift, but your future is still yours.
Follow-up care becomes part of your routine
After treatment, you’ll have regular check-ups to track your health. These usually become less frequent over time. Most people get used to this rhythm and find it reassuring.
You may think differently about life
Having cancer when you’re young can change the way you think about yourself and your future. Some survivors say it helped them feel more confident. It gave them a new way of looking at life and helped them see what matters most to them.
Some physical or emotional challenges can stay for a while
Fatigue, mood changes, anxiety about recurrence, or late effects from treatment can happen. These are manageable with the right support. You won’t have to deal with these alone. Your cancer team, GP, and survivorship programs are here to help. You have to let them know how you’re feeling.
Relationships can grow stronger
Friendships, family connections, and romantic relationships can grow stronger. You may also meet others who’ve had cancer who you can lean on for support. Sexuality and intimacy are an important part of who you are and to your relationships. There is information about sexuality and intimacy on our website.
You have support for long-term health
There are survivorship clinics, mental health support services, fertility services, and specialists who help with late effects. These services help young people stay healthy as they grow into adulthood. You can talk with your treatment team or GP about a referral to these services. There are also resources listed below that you can connect to.
Resources
Visit the Victorian Integrated Cancer Services (VICS) for resources and information about coming off treatment, and survivorship. These are online resources that can be accessed nationwide.
Victorian residents can access the Paediatric Integrated Cancer Services long term follow-up program. This program helps children and adolescent survivors of cancer stay healthy for years after treatment.
The Youth Cancer Centre is located at the Victoria Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) in Melbourne. It is the home of the Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service. You Don’t have to be a patient of Peter Mac to access the service.
Canteen Australia provides support for young people with cancer aged 15-25. They have an online peer to peer support service called Canteen Connect. Canteen Connect is a free online cancer support service and community for young people with cancer.
The Cancer Institute of NSW have created a resource to help young people find the cancer information they need.
ReachOut is a safe place for young people to share their feelings, get support without judgment, understand what’s happening in their lives, and build skills to handle challenges.
Look Good Feel Better is a national program that supports people with cancer. They offer online and in-person workshops. They can help with the common physical and emotional effects of cancer treatment. The program also helps people meet others going through similar experiences.
Cancer Hub helps families impacted by cancer access the practical and emotional support they need.
Headspace is a place where young people can go to get help with things such as mental health, physical and sexual health, problems with alcohol or drugs, and support with work or study.
Redkite provides practical, emotional, and financial support for families who have a child with cancer aged 18 or under.
