HealthInfo Canterbury

Cancer in teens & young adults

Cancer in younger people is rare. The effects of having cancer are hard for everyone, but can be especially hard if you're a young person. At the same time as having cancer you may also be facing other challenges, such as working out your own identity, gaining independence, getting an education, developing relationships, experiencing intimacy, or starting work.

If you or someone you love or care about has been diagnosed with cancer you will probably have a lot of questions. There are a lot of places you can get help.

You can call on 0800‑CanTeen (0800‑226‑8336). By joining CanTeen online you can access counsellors who are available seven days a week, noon to midnight on weekdays and 1 pm to 8 pm on weekends. You can also chat with other young people who are affected by cancer 24 hours a day.

You can get 24 hour 7 days a week support from a community helpline, where you can speak to a counsellor or trained volunteer.

Free community helplines

If there is an emergency phone 111.

Lifeline

Phone: 0800-LIFELINE (0800-543-354)

Txt: HELP (4357)

Lifeline is a free confidential professional counselling service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Youthline

Freephone 0800‑376-633 (any time) or free txt 234 to speak to a counsellor.

You can also chat online using the webchat between 10 am and 10 pm, Tuesday to Friday and 4:30 pm to 10 pm, Saturday to Monday.

Email any time. Counsellors aim to respond to emails within 24 hours.

0800 What's Up

Phone 0800‑942‑8787

0800 What's Up is a free counselling helpline for children and youth. Call Monday to Friday, 12 noon to 11 pm. Saturday and Sunday, 3 pm to 11 pm.

On the following websites you'll find more resources and information that can help you and the people who are supporting you.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• CanTeen

  CanTeen supports young people aged 13 to 24 to cope with the physical, emotional and practical impact of living with cancer. The site includes information, access to support, videos of young people sharing their experience, practical advice, and much more.

• Youthhealthtalk.org – Young people's experiences: Cancer

  This British site has information as well as video interviews with young people talking about their experiences with cancer.

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed January 2021.

Sources

Page reference: 53616

Review key: HICYT-53616