twitter Tweet

Dr. Hayes-Lattin develops training blueprint for treating adolescent, young adult cancer patients

Recommendations published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology call for specialized instruction, incorporating differences in tumor biology and delivery of care

Dr. Hayes-LattinHealth care providers that classify cancer patients as children or adults often neglect the particular medical needs of adolescents and young adults, which can have serious consequences. It forces these patients to straddle two arenas of health care that aren’t equipped to deal with their unique tumor biology or the psychological, social and cultural forces that influence the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in this population, asserts Brandon Hayes-Lattin, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, who established the pioneering Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program at Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute.  

Dr. Hayes-Lattin — who battled cancer as a young adult — is laying the groundwork for reorganizing cancer treatment programs nationwide to better meet these patients’ needs. As part of that effort, he recently led a team of experts who developed training recommendations for health care professionals, which are outlined in a paper published in the Nov. 10 print edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Read full OHSU press release

Previous Story Medical Research Foundation Announces 2010 Award Winners Next Story From the Archives: What are you trying to do, Jones . . . get a hundred?