Grant: Project Grant

Each year in Canada, nearly 8,000 adolescents and young adults (AYA) are diagnosed with cancer. AYA cancer patients face unique challenges that are different from those of adult cancer patients. These challenges are also often understudied. An important challenge is reproductive and sexual health, resulting from impacts of cancer itself and cancer treatments. The goal of our project is to gain a better understanding of reproductive and sexual health among AYA cancer patients. Because of the complex nature of this topic and the unique patient population of younger adults, we will use multiple research methods. First, we will analyze "big" health care data including cancer and pregnancy registry data. Second, we will hold focus groups with AYA cancer patients to gather their experiences with reproductive and sexual health during and after treatment. Altogether, this project represents the start of meaningful and inclusive conversations about reproductive and sexual health among AYA cancer patients. It also provides a safe space for these sensitive topics, often associated with stigma or taboo, which have major impacts on AYA cancer patients' quality of life. Finally, this project has the potential to bridge research, awareness-raising, and advocacy for reproductive and sexual health needs of AYA cancer patients at the community, provincial, and national levels.