The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute offers Oregon's only program devoted specifically to the needs of cancer patients diagnosed from ages 15 to 39. The Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program, also known as AYA, can:

• Connect you with other young people dealing with cancer.
• Offer support for your goals and well-being.
• Provide treatments to protect your fertility.
• Make sure you receive first-rate medical care tailored to your needs.
• Provide access to clinical trials and advances in treating young cancer patients.

Why choose the AYA Program?

Each year, about 70,000 people ages 15 to 39 in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. For young people who have a disease, cancer is among the most common.

Still, having cancer at a young age can feel isolating. When you go to appointments, you may not see many patients your age. 

Cancer also may hit at an especially frustrating time, when you're trying to finish your education, establish your independence, or start a career or family. You may have concerns about fertility or about cancer coming back years in the future.

At the AYA Program, we understand all this. We'll address your concerns and connect you with other young patients, including in our AYA Clubhouse space, so you can face cancer with the support and fellowship of peers. You'll also have access to a wide range of providers who are passionate about caring for young people with cancer. 

Meet Dr. Brandon Hayes-Lattin

Dr. Brandon Hayes-Lattin, AYA's medical director, understands the special needs and concerns of young cancer patients. He survived testicular cancer after being diagnosed in 1998 as a 28-year-old medical resident.

Since then, Dr. Hayes-Lattin has become one of the nation's leaders in developing the field of adolescent and young adult oncology. 

He started the Knight Cancer Institute's AYA Program in 2006 with financial backing from the Livestrong Foundation. He served as the first medical co-chair of Livestrong's Young Adult Alliance, a coalition of more than 100 organizations pursuing innovations for cancer patients ages 15 to 40. 

Dr. Hayes-Lattin has also done extensive research aimed at improving survival rates and quality of life among young people with cancer. The AYA Program follows recommendations of the National Cancer Institute's Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Progress Review Group and was among six national cancer centers to create a repository of tumor samples for research.

OHSU cancer support services

In addition to exceptional cancer care, OHSU and the Knight Cancer Institute offer many services to support young cancer patients.

Patient story

Meet Brianna Barrett, who turned her cancer diagnosis at age 24 into a documentary, "Cancerland." Barrett found support and creative expression through the AYA Program. Read more patient stories.

Learn more

• Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer, National Cancer Institute
• Stupid Cancer, a nonprofit that offers support and advocacy for young people with cancer
• Young Adults with Cancer, Livestrong, an advocacy nonprofit for people affected by cancer