East Midlands Teenage and Young Adult Service
‘We see the young person first, cancer diagnosis second’
Being diagnosed with cancer can turn your life upside down at any age. Teenagers and Young Adults (TYA) have specific needs due to their age that can create challenges at this difficult time. The East Midlands TYA service aims to provide specialist age appropriate care and emotional, psychological and social support to young people aged 13-24 who have been diagnosed with cancer, and to their family and friends.
There are specialist units throughout the UK that 13-24 year old's can access for treatment and support throughout their cancer journey. These are called Principal Treatment Centres (PTC) and are centralised within geographical regions. There are also Designated Centres that offer treatment in local hospitals.
If you are 13-18 years old, national guidance recommends that you are best cared for in an age appropriate Teenage Cancer Trust unit at the Principal Treatment Centre (Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham City Hospital or Leicester Royal Infirmary. If you are aged 19 to 24 you have the choice to be treated locally in a Designated Centre (where approved) or in a Principal Treatment Centre.
Wherever you are treated you will be cared for by members of staff from different areas within the hospital – this is called the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).
They can include:
- Consultants/ Junior Doctors
- Allied Health Professionals; Dietitians/ Physiotherapists/ Occupational Therapists
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Teenage Cancer Trust Youth Support Coordinator
- Play Specialists
- Young Lives vs Cancer Social Workers
Find out more
