Teenage and young adult cancer

Our Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Service offers specialist care to people aged 13-24 years old who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Patients diagnosed aged 16-18 years old will receive their treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), whilst patients aged 19-24 years old can choose to have their treatment at either QEHB or another local hospital.

Being diagnosed with cancer and facing treatment can make you feel scared and isolated. Some of the treatment you have received, or are having, may disrupt your daily routine, which is where we can help.

We have a large, dedicated team of professionals with a special interest in the care of young people and will support you, your friends and family throughout your treatment journey.

How can we help?

We see the young person first, cancer diagnosis second.

The Teenage Cancer Trust Young Person’s Unit and day care facility are part of the TYA service. The service aims to provide specialist age-appropriate care, including emotional, psychological and social support to young people who have been diagnosed with cancer, as well as to your friends and family, wherever they are within the West Midlands.

When you are referred to the Teenage Cancer Trust Young Person’s Unit you will come into contact with experts for your particular type of cancer, which can include:

doctors
consultants
nurses
Teenage Cancer Trust clinical nurse specialists (CNS's)
psychologists
physiotherapists
Teenage Cancer Trust youth support co-ordinators
James Brindley specialist teachers
Young Lives vs Cancer social workers
specialist radiographers

Every young person will be referred to a consultant oncologist or haematologist who will be in charge of your treatment. They see patients both on the ward and in outpatient clinics. You will also be allocated a key worker, which will usually be a Teenage Cancer Trust CNS who will work alongside your treatment team and act as a point of contact when a patient has a question or concern.

All team members involved in your care will be happy to answer any questions that you may have or will be able to find the best possible person to do so. We have a wide range of information booklets available, but if you would like something in particular, please ask.

Teenage Cancer Trust Young Person’s Unit

The Teenage Cancer Trust Young Person's Unit is a twelve-bed ward, which consists of two four-bed bays and four side rooms, a shared lounge, kitchen and study rooms, plus the Eden Room (cinema), which provides the perfect space to relax, unwind and socialise.

There are lots of things for you to do, including facilities for gaming, watching films, playing board games and making arts & crafts. The unit also has access to a free Wi-Fi service, which is provided and managed by the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Our Teenage Cancer Trust youth support coordinators organise fun activities which include pizza nights, music lessons, exercise classes as well as opportunities for off-site activities.

The unit provides patients with the facilities and support to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible. These include:

single-sex bays
mobiles are allowed
education and employment support
health and welfare advice
online ‘Look Good, Feel Better’ events
games consoles
laptops and tablets

As part of the Teenage Cancer Trust Young Person’s Service, we provide:

support in employment and education
online activities such as bingo, Pictionary and quizzes
social groups and peer support
financial support and advice
fertility and sexual health advice
advice on wellbeing, fitness and healthy lifestyles
we also liaise with local agencies and other specialist teams

We have a dedicated Teenage Cancer Trust Young Person’s space in our outpatient facility for patients whose treatment does not require an overnight stay.

This video explains more about the service we provide.