Mental Health Care is a Top, Unmet Need for Young Adult Cancer Survivors.
Bringing mind-body medicine and therapy together, we connect young survivors with the whole-person care they need.
Supporting
the Space
In-Between
Adolescent Young Adult (AYA) cancer survivors face a number of unique health disparities and quality of life issues in-between key, developmental life milestones that can affect coping with the distressing side effects of cancer.
Emerging research shows that mind-body modalities such as meditation, mindfulness, and self-compassion, are effective skills that support unique cancer-related psychosocial needs and mental well-being in AYAs. When integrated with therapy, these tools and practices have the potential to help AYAs better manage the effects of stress in a way that improves quality of life as they navigate the complex and evolving challenges of survivorship.
As diagnosis and survival rates increase, access to integrative health resources and care are needed to support AYA mental and emotional well-being.
57%
LIKELY TO DEVELOP DEPRESSION
29%
LIKELY TO DEVELOP ANXIETY
56%
LIKELY TO DEVELOP PSYCHOTIC DISORDER
What does it mean to create whole-person mental health care for AYA cancer survivors?
In November 2023, we gathered in community with fellow young survivors for an immersive experience to explore how to meet the unique mental health needs in AYA survivorship care.
Our time included conversation, ideation, peer support, nourishing brunch snacks, and guided meditation. The intention of this event was to explore innovative solutions that center the patient voice and address the needs of young survivors.
Thank You!
Our November event was a great success! Please stay tuned for upcoming news and events in 2024!
Thank you to everyone who attended, and to the American Cancer Society and The Lubar Entrepreneurship Center for their generous support.
HOSTED BY:
Amelia Coffaro, C-IAYT
PATIENT NAVIGATOR, THYME CARE
YOGA THERAPIST & AYA SURVIVOR
Amelia Coffaro (she/her), C-IAYT, is a Certified Yoga Therapist in oncology support, teaching adaptive yoga and mindful self-compassion in to people across the cancer care continuum. Throughout her 10 years working in integrative oncology, Amelia has had the honor to partner with Harvard University, the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society and the Society of Integrative Oncology, among others, on several initiatives to advance evidence-based, mind-body medicine as a part of comprehensive care.
As a young cancer survivor, she is dedicated to finding innovative solutions to improve the mental and emotional wellbeing of other young survivors through holistic, integrative medicine. Outside of her work as a yoga therapist, Amelia is a patient navigator at Thyme Care, a digital oncology platform.
DIRECTOR, AYA RESEARCH AND THE MIND BODY PROGRAMS FOR SURVIVORS, MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
Dr. Giselle Perez
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
Dr. Giselle Perez is strongly committed to identifying innovative solutions to improve cancer prevention, health care equity, and cancer outcomes among vulnerable and underserved groups, in particular adolescents and young adults. Her research focuses on the development of behavioral and mind-body interventions to promote stress management and overall physical and emotional health outcomes for patients throughout the cancer spectrum.
Clinically, she specializes in working with adolescents and young adults touched by cancer with a focus on managing the unexpected social and emotional challenges that occur after cancer treatment, improving stress and anxiety symptoms, coping with uncertainty, and promoting health behavior change. In particular, her work examines the physical, psychosocial, and biobehavioral (e.g., stress hormones) effects of stress and stress interventions in cancer patients and survivors.
WITH GRATITUDE FOR OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
