Young Adults with Cancer

Last reviewed: May 6, 2024

It is stressful to find out you have cancer. You may have a lot of questions and concerns. You may be unsure what to expect or what to do next. This handout offers information on the supports available to you and what you can do to manage your concerns.

As a young adult, you may have concerns related to:

Physical changes
Finances
Education
Work
Intimacy and sex
Fertility
Family members/partners-in-care

Physical changes

You may experience physical changes caused by your cancer and cancer treatments. Ask the healthcare team about the physical changes you may experience. You may be worried or have concerns about these physical changes. Talk to your healthcare team about this.

Finances

Learn about the benefits and financial assistance programs offered through your work, federal and provincial governments or non-profit foundations. Read our Financial Supports handout.

Go to Wellspring Programs Online and search ‘finance’ for information on available programs and webinars.

Education and work schedules

You may need to make changes in your schedule for school or work because of your cancer treatments. This may mean working or going to school part-time or taking a leave of absence. This may be a difficult decision for you to make. Talk to your healthcare team about this.

Go to Wellspring Programs Online and search ‘work’ for information on available programs and webinars.

Intimacy and sex

Cancer may affect how you see your relationships and how you feel about intimacy and sex. Talk to your healthcare team about this. Read our Your Sexual Health handout.

Fertility preservation

Cancer treatment can change your ability to have biological children. You may want to preserve your fertility by freezing your sperm or eggs. Talk to your healthcare team about this before treatment starts. Ask your healthcare team for one of these handouts:

Your family members/partners-in-care

Your family members/partners-in-care will need information about your cancer and cancer treatments too. This may help them understand your experience and how you may be feeling. Supports you find helpful may also be helpful for your family members/partners-in-care. This may help them know how to best support you. Your family and friends may offer to help you in practical ways (example: make a meal for you or drive you to an appointment). You may need to ask them for help.

Supports available to you and your family members/partners-in-care

It is important to find ways to care for yourself. It may help to listen to calming music, participate in a yoga or meditation class, or spend time with friends and family. Think about what made you happy before you had cancer. Find ways to bring those things into your new routine. Keeping things normal can be helpful.

You may find it helpful to talk with someone about your experience and feelings. See the list below for the options available to you. The type of support you find helpful may depend on your needs.

Organizations offering support to young adults with cancer

Canadian Cancer Society offers information about cancer. You can talk to someone about how you are feeling. You can do this by phone or through a chat group. Call 1-888-939-3333 or go to the website for more information.
Cancer Connection offers support and information about cancer. Call 1-888-939-3333 or go to the website for more information.
Cancer Fight Club offers programs for young adults facing cancer, which includes peer support, workshops and seminars, retreats, exercise and physical activities, social get-togethers, stress management. Go to the website for more information.
First Descents offers outdoor adventures for young adults living with cancer. Participants must have been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 to 39 and must currently be between the ages of 18 to 45. Go to the website for more information.
Look Good Feel Better offers virtual and in-person workshops to women and men on how to manage the effects of cancer and treatments on your physical appearance. These workshops offer information on skin care and hair alternatives. Go to the website for more information.
Melanie’s Way is a Canadian charity committed to making a difference in the lives of young women facing metastatic or relapsed cancer (stage 4). This organization offers young adult women unique, unforgettable experiences to create lasting memories. Go to the website for more information.
Movember offers information and supports to young adults with testicular cancer. This organization also offers information and support for mental health challenges. Go to the website for more information.
Pink Pearl offers resources and supports for young adult women. This includes peer support programs. Go to the website for more information.
Queering Cancer offers resources and supports from LGBTQ2+ communities for you and your family members/partners-in-care. Go to the website for more information.
Stupid Cancer offers resources and peer support. They host meet-ups, a yearly convention as well as digital webinars. Go to the website for more information.
Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) offers online supports and resources. You will find a list of activities and retreats on the website that can help you connect with other young adults. Call 1-877-571-7325 or go to the website for more information.

Cancer Support Centres

Gilda’s Club of Greater Toronto offers support groups for you and your family members/partners-in-care. Call 416-214-9898 or go to the website for more information.
Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre offers individual and group support, education and wellness programs. They offer a ‘Young Hearts’ support group for adults between 18 and 40. Call 905-579-4833 or go to the website for more information.
Wellspring offers online support groups and educational workshops. Call 1-877-499-9904 or go to the website for more information.

You may choose to print the Information and Supports for Young Adults With Cancer handout. This handout includes the same information as this web page.

Call 905-576-8711 or 1-866-338-1778 extension 33282 and ask to talk to a social worker if you have questions or concerns about any of this information.