Gaining a better understanding of cancer in adolescents and young adults
How do adolescents and young adults cope during and after cancer, and what support do they need? Two new publications from the University of Lucerne shed light on the situation of this patient group in Switzerland.
Cancer in adolescents and young adults (aged 15 to 39) differs from cancer in children and older adults - in the types of cancer that occur, their frequency, and how they are distributed across the population. A diagnosis strikes young people at a particularly challenging stage of life, one marked by important developmental milestones and decisions: education, starting a career, relationships, growing independence, and family planning. For this reason, cancer at this age can be especially demanding - not only physically, but also psychologically, socially, and financially. Despite this, the needs of this group have so far been insufficiently researched and understood.
To better understand both the prevalence of cancer among young people in Switzerland and its wider impact, the nationwide AYA Project was launched (AYA stands for adolescents and young adults). A research team from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine investigated the situation of those who receive a cancer diagnosis between the ages of 15 and 39. The aim was to gain a clearer picture of how common cancer is in this age group in Switzerland, how those affected are faring, what they need, and how they can be better supported over the long term. Running from 2020 to 2025, the project comprised two studies. The first two scientific studies to emerge from this work have now been published.
Rising case numbers, falling death rates
The first study examined how common cancer is among adolescents and young adults in Switzerland, how many people survive, and how many are currently living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis. For the first time, all available data from the Swiss cancer registries were analysed - a total of 44,048 entries spanning 1980 to 2019. The results show that while the number of new cases has risen slightly over the past 40 years, deaths following a cancer diagnosis have fallen. The most common cancer types were carcinomas - particularly breast cancer (approximately 9,629 cases), cancers of the gastrointestinal tract (approximately 5,033 cases), and thyroid cancer (approximately 4,785 cases) - alongside tumours of the gonads and related tumours (approximately 11,303 cases), melanomas (approximately 9,695 cases), and lymphomas (approximately 8,208 cases). These findings offer an important foundation for identifying long-term trends and improving targeted care for those affected.
The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) at the University of Bern.
Céline Bolliger et al.
Incidence, mortality, and cumulative risk of cancer in adolescents and young adults in Switzerland
European Journal of Epidemiology, 2026
Open Access
Survivors with diverse needs
The second study focused on the psychosocial health and support needs of cancer survivors. Survivors were recruited through hospitals across German-speaking Switzerland and invited to complete a questionnaire about their situation following their illness. A total of 134 people took part.
The most commonly reported gaps during treatment related to help with insurance matters and support for those close to the patient. Even after treatment had ended, assistance with insurance remained the area of greatest unmet need. In addition, a number of participants wanted more information about their cancer and its possible long-term effects, as well as support with returning to work. Taken together, the findings show that personal needs - such as access to information or psychological support - tend to persist over time, whereas social and practical support needs generally diminish once treatment is complete. Younger patients, and those whose diagnosis was more recent, were particularly likely to report unmet personal needs.
While most support needs are being met, the results make clear that targeted measures are required to address the gaps that remain and to ensure appropriate long-term aftercare.
Céline Bolliger et al.
Psychosocial Support Needs and Utilization of Support Among Survivors of Cancer in Young Adulthood in Switzerland: A Report From the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Psychosocial Health Study
Psycho-Oncology, 2026
Open Access
Foundations for better support
The AYA Project provides, for the first time, a comprehensive picture of how cancer affects adolescents and young adults in Switzerland: what challenges exist and where improvements are needed. The findings offer a valuable basis for sustainably improving the care and support available to these patients, who remain too often overlooked. Further publications drawing on both studies are currently in preparation.
The project was led by Dr Katharina Roser, Lecturer and Research Fellow in Health Sciences, and carried out in collaboration with Dr Céline Bolliger, Research Associate in Health Sciences. Financial support for the project was provided by the Palatin Foundation, Krebsliga (Cancer League) of Central Switzerland, and the Avenira Foundation.
