Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer care in the NEMICS region

An evaluation of hospital admissions data identified approximately 49 adolescent or young adult (AYA) cancer diagnoses were made within the NEMICS region each year between 2017 and 2021.

More than 60% of all new diagnoses occur at Austin Health and private health services. Haematological cancers and genitourinary cancers were the most common new AYAY diagnoses, with chemotherapy and allied health procedures most frequently recorded during AYA hospitalisations.

Although few AYA diagnoses are occurring in the NEMICS region, further investigation would be beneficial to ensure these people are being appropriately referred to the OnTrac program at Peter Mac, in line with the AYA Optimal Care Pathway and the Australian Youth Cancer Services Framework.