Teenage and young adult cancer service

About us

Welcome to the teenage and young adults (TYA) cancer service. We look after people aged from 13 to their 25th birthday, with a wide range of cancers and some non-cancerous conditions. In these pages, we hope to provide you with some useful information so you know what to expect on your treatment journey with the team at UCLH.

Our approach

We understand that when the possibility of cancer has been raised it is a difficult time for both that person and their loved ones. We aim to see people rapidly and efficiently perform the necessary tests to establish what the problem is, so we can form the best treatment plan for each individual. At each stage we will explain the plan and why we need to do a particular test. We will try to answer your questions as fully as possible when you meet our team, and you will find lots of useful information here, and in written information, the team will give you.

Once we have completed the initial testing and a treatment plan has been formed we offer excellent facilities to provide the latest treatments for a wide range of conditions. At each point, we want to make sure that you are at the heart of decisions being made and you have all the information you need.

Staff who will be looking after you

You will be cared for by a team of healthcare professionals specialising in helping young people like you through their cancer treatment. You will hear us call this team the multidisciplinary team (MDT) because it includes experts in different areas of medicine, such as doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists.

Your first point of contact will be your key worker. This usually is a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) trained and experienced in treating young people with your type of cancer. Your key worker will also coordinate your care and support you and your family at every step of the way.

If you’d like to find out more about the role of the CNS, download a copy of our leaflet ‘What to expect from your CNS’.

Click here to find out about other people who you will see during your care or treatments.