Cancer in young adults - Young and Diagnosed? Start Here.

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If you’re a young adult and you’ve just received a cancer diagnosis, you might be in a flurry of information-seeking and problem-solving right now. This article is for you. Pause where you are for just a moment. Take a deep breath. Notice a few things around you. Feel your heart rate lower and your breathing slow down, just the smallest bit.

For many young adults, facing a cancer diagnosis is like nothing they’ve ever faced before. It can be a life-altering experience. In the United States, adolescents and young adults account for 4% of all cancer diagnoses.1 That’s approximately 88,000 young people, just like you, who are facing similar challenges and emotions. You are not alone.

Keep reading for 10 things you can do after a diagnosis, and get tips from other young adults who have navigated cancer.

“Receiving a cancer diagnosis was overwhelming, so I tried to remind myself to take everything one day at a time.”

— Elena, Young Adult Cancer Survivor

1. Find out how quickly you need to make a decision about treatment.

It’s common to feel like you need to take action right away after receiving a cancer diagnosis. In some cases, it is necessary to take immediate action. But more often, your healthcare team can recommend a safe timeline for you to consider your options before making a decision about treatment. In most cases, you have time to do research on treatment options and get a second opinion.

2. Know your exact cancer diagnosis and stage of disease.

Ask your healthcare team questions like:

What is the exact name of my cancer?
What is the stage of my cancer?
Can biomarker or genetic testing help guide my treatment options?

Gather the facts and record them somewhere you can find them again in the future, whether it’s in a note-taking app or in a notebook. Scans and pathology reports will be important pieces of information to keep.

Keeping notes was helpful for Elena as she navigated a grade 3 astrocytoma diagnosis. “I kept an ongoing list of questions on my phone that I would pull up during conversations with my care team so I could remember what I wanted to ask,” she shared. “It also helped to have a loved one with me during my appointments to write notes that we could revisit together later.”

3. Ask your care team about your treatment options and goals of care.

Here are some questions to consider:

Are there multiple treatments available, and what are the different options?
What are the goals of treatment?
Can my cancer be cured? Or are we treating it with other goals in mind?
How well has the treatment been shown to work in my type of cancer?
What are the potential side effects of the treatment, and how are they managed?
How will the treatment be given, and how often will it be given?
How much will my insurance pay for the treatment and all related care?
What expenses will I have to pay myself?

Tip: As you discuss treatment questions with your care team, ask if a clinical trial might be right for you. Many people don’t realize that a clinical trial can be explored at the point of diagnosis and may be a possible treatment option early on.

Discover More About Cancer Clinical Trials

4. Identify and communicate your priorities.

As you explore treatment options, think about what you want your healthcare team to know about you, such as your goals and priorities. These may be things like maintaining or preserving fertility, staying in school, continuing to work, or minimizing side effects of treatment, to name a few examples. Write down your questions and concerns and bring them to your next appointment.

This is also the time to activate your support network. Family, friends, and organizations like CSC can help you advocate for care and treatments aligned with your values, preferences, needs, and life goals.

5. Seek a second opinion.

Every patient has a right to get a second opinion, and your healthcare team should support your desire to do so. Often people consult a doctor in a different cancer center or academic medical center for the second opinion. This helps them to explore all care options. Second opinions might also help them find out if there are new treatments they should know about.

Many cancers can be treated in your local community, but sometimes it is helpful to seek care at a center that specializes in a certain cancer for all or a portion of your care.

6. Invite a loved one to come with you to medical appointments.

Bringing a loved one with you to medical appointments can be a helpful source of practical and emotional support. A loved one can listen, take notes, and ask questions during your appointments. They can also help you talk through and process the information after the appointments.

It can be difficult to ask for help. However, many eager-to-help loved ones won’t know how to help until you tell them. It’s important to communicate your needs to others so you can receive the help you need and want.

7. Take time to get to know your insurance coverage.

Ask your healthcare team if there’s a financial counselor or social worker at your care center who can help you. Talk to them about out how much of your doctor and hospital bills, surgery, cancer treatment, and other medications and supportive care will be covered under your insurance plan. Also ask about:

Co-pays
Deductibles
Other costs you may have to pay

Check to see if all the healthcare professionals and locations of care are considered in-network. Make sure you understand what it means to receive care from an out-of-network provider.

As you navigate questions about cancer-related expenses, another great resource is our Cancer Support Helpline. Our Helpline’s experienced team can provide personalized navigation throughout your cancer experience, including financial navigation. Our financial navigators can address your questions and provide referrals to resources that may help with cancer-related costs. Contact our Helpline at 888-793-9355 or online via our chat service to get connected.

“When you need a warm, understanding voice, just reach out to our Helpline to call or chat. We are here to listen and assist. Together we can figure out the best resource or next steps.”

— Sally Werner, CEO, Cancer Support Community

8. Talk to a professional about emotional and social distress.

A cancer diagnosis can bring up a range of emotions, including feeling depressed, anxious, frustrated, scared, confused, or any combination of these. These feelings are valid and understandable. Many people experience these feelings after receiving a cancer diagnosis, regardless of their age.

A professional, such as an oncology social worker or navigator, can help connect you to resources and support. Help is available, whether you are looking for someone to talk to about the stress cancer has brought into your life or other specific concerns, such as:

“You can’t cope with your life unless you are resilient. You have to grieve — that is what makes us people. But to keep going is resilience in the face of something terrible going on.”

— Courtney, diagnosed with melanoma at age 26

9. Share news of your diagnosis at your own pace and comfort level.

Remember, your cancer diagnosis is yours to share — when, where, if, and how you decide you are comfortable. If you’re worried about how to tell others about your cancer diagnosis, think about the support you need first.

Many people don’t know how to react when they learn that someone in their life has cancer. So, offering them some guidance can be helpful. Consider asking for what you need first and then tell them about your diagnosis. For example, you might say: “I really need you to listen to everything I’m going to say before reacting.” Or: “I know what I’m about to say might sound scary, but I need you to help me stay hopeful right now.”

Asking for what you need can help people create a comfortable and safe environment for you to share about your cancer diagnosis or treatment.

“I know that everyone responds to things differently, but anyone who reached out to me, it made such a difference in my day… Simply checking in was appreciated — it doesn’t always have to be about my cancer. I could tell them whether or not I want to talk about it.”

— Grace, diagnosed with breast cancer at age 30

10. Seek opportunities to join community spaces.

The strength of a community can be an essential source of resilience and hope for young adults living with cancer. It can make navigating a cancer diagnosis feel less complex and lonely. In a community, you can find encouragement and empower one another to overcome the challenges you’re currently facing and those that lie ahead.

To find the support you need, seek opportunities to join community spaces. If you’re confident in your leadership skills, you might find it empowering to host your own meetup or peer group and could consider creating your own space for connection. Miranda, a young adult cancer survivor and cancer advocate, started attending YA cancer community meetups in her area. “I have met people who are just like me, and it has made a world of difference,” she noted.

Your local Gilda’s Club or CSC may have support groups that are specific to young adults living with cancer, too.
Find a Caring Gilda’s Club Location Near You

If you are not up to meeting in person or can’t find a support group near you, consider our free digital support community MyLifeLine for people impacted by cancer. Chat with other young adults who are navigating a diagnosis on our Cancer in Your 20s–30s discussion forum. Or join in the conversations on other forums like Nutrition & Wellness, Coping With Side Effects, and Post-treatment Survivors. Our forums are moderated by licensed mental health professionals and are available 24/7.

Elena turned to MyLifeLine’s community for extra support during her cancer experience. “I found the forums on MyLifeLine helpful to connect with others who were impacted by brain cancer or young adult cancer. Sometimes the wide range of communities and information available online and on social media made me feel more stressed or confused, but I appreciated that MyLifeLine is professionally moderated and allows so many caring individuals to come together in a supportive virtual space.”

Tip: Young adults face unique challenges in their cancer experience, and having access to social and emotional support is critical. Discover more about YA support, including organizations that provide opportunities for young adult survivors to connect with others in person and virtually.

“Know that a diagnosis does not mean your world is ending forever. Don’t be afraid to talk about it. Share your story, and don’t let anyone make you feel uncomfortable about sharing a piece of who you are.”

— Asia, young adult cancer survivor

Navigating a cancer diagnosis as a young adult comes with unique challenges, and you don’t have to face them alone. Whether you’re seeking emotional support, practical resources, or connections with others who understand, there are communities and organizations ready to help. Take things one step at a time, lean on your support system, and remember that your voice matters in the care you receive. No matter where you are, support is available.