Young Adult Cancers Program
Facing cancer as a young adult comes with challenges that can affect every aspect of life. From relationships and fertility to career goals, finances, and emotional well-being, the impact often extends beyond treatment. We provide resources, support, and connections tailored to the unique needs of young adults facing cancer.
About the Young Adult Cancers Program
If you are a young adult, we provide information and resources tailored just for you. We address your unique challenges and concerns because we know every person's experience with cancer is different. We recognize that you have choices and decisions to make, and we are here to help you determine what is right for you. Our goal is to ensure you feel informed, supported, and empowered throughout your care.
Our Mission
Each year, approximately 200,000 thousands of young adults face cancer while balancing careers, relationships, family planning, education, and other important life milestones. The Young Adult Cancers Program is dedicated to supporting and empowering young adults through every stage of care, survivorship, and beyond.
We understand that cancer can affect many aspects of life. That's why our team provides comprehensive support that addresses not only medical needs, but also emotional, social, financial, and practical concerns. Our multidisciplinary team includes physicians, nurses, social workers, psycho-oncology specialists, spiritual care providers, wellness experts, researchers, and patient advocates who work together to deliver personalized care and support.
Patient advocates help shape our efforts by sharing their experiences and perspectives, ensuring that young adult voices remain at the center of what we do.
No matter where you are in your care, you'll find a community committed to helping you access the resources, support, and connections you need to move forward with confidence and hope.
Program Objectives
- Provide multidisciplinary support to improve outcomes for young adults with cancer (ages 20-45).
- Address the unique challenges, barriers, and experiences faced by young adults during cancer treatment and survivorship.
- Advance research to better understand the causes, prevention, treatment, and long-term effects of cancer in young adults.
- Connect patients and survivors with resources that support their physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being.
- Foster a community that helps young adults feel supported, empowered, and less alone throughout their cancer journey.
In the Words of Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Leadership and Administration
Cathy Eng, MD
Executive Director, Young Adult Cancer Program
David H. Johnson Endowed Chair in Surgical and Medical Oncology
VICC Associate Director, Strategic Relations and Research Partnerships
Bhagirathbhai Dholaria, MD
Co-Director, Young Adult Cancer Program
Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology)
Sonya Reid, MD
Co-Director, Young Adult Cancer Program
Assistant Director, Community Outreach and Engagement
Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology and Oncology)
Team Members:
- Program Manager: Hasani Bland
- Nurse Navigator: Samantha Stinson, RN
- News and Communications: Camille Amadeo Savell
- Patient and Family Resource Center: Julie Bulger
- Administrative and Oncology Research: Amala Benny
Cancer
New Video: Only half of young cancer patients report discussing fertility preservation
Young patients with thyroid, lung, ovarian and colorectal cancers reported the lowest prevalence of a fertility preservation discussion.
Vanderbilt Health Network:
- Advance Practitioner Representatives:
- Megan Wanca, DNP
- Community Outreach:
- Sonya Reid, MD
- Epidemiology:
- Andreana N. Holowatyj, PhD
- Fertility:
- Michelle Roach, MD
- Health and Fitness:
- Eric Jarvis, PT, MPT, Dayani Center
- Integrative Medicine:
- Kathryn Hansen, ANP-BC
- Palliative Care:
- Rajiv Agarwal, MD, Sarah Martin, MD
- Pastoral Care:
- Ian Cullen, MDiv, BCC
- Prevention:
- Reid Ness, MD, MPH
- Social work:
- Lindsay Grisanti, LMSW
- Surgery:
- Deepa Magge, MD
Patient Advocates:
- Beth Berman
- Yvette Davis
- Sarah Denger
- Cierra McBride
- Sonia Morris
- Ashley Nicholson
- Sid Sadler
- Alex Waddey
Community Partners
- Meg Grunke, Survivor Fitness
- Katharine Ray, The Heimerdinger Foundation/Meals 4 Health & Healing
- Megan Forshey, LCSW, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee
- Austin Hatcher Foundation
Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter
Each month we send out a newsletter with helpful information to our young adult cancer program participants with helpful information and provide details about ongoing opportunities to engage with each other.