On World Cancer Day, the European Commission held the Youth Policy Dialogue with the new European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Olivér Várhelyi. The main objective of the dialogue was to create a better understanding of the lived experience of young cancer survivors and professionals and provide them with the possibility to share their views on EU health policies and programmes in the field of oncology.
I had the opportunity to take part in this dialogue alongside 9 other healthcare professionals and about 20 young cancer survivors from the Youth Cancer Europe project.
Before going to Brussels for this event, we had to answer some questions in order to prepare our presentation. We were asked about the challenges we face as young cancer professionals and what the EU could do for us in the future. According to our answers, various speaking points were set.
Regarding challenges, some people talked about the difficulties in translating research into clinical practice. Also, the lack of support and recognition for oncology nurses in certain European countries was commented. However, what all professionals agreed on is that young cancer professionals are affected by understaffing and precarious work conditions. Moreover, it is believed that there is insufficient time to address all patients concerns, including mental health and quality of life.
When it comes to demands, everyone asked for more investment and sustainable funding. Apart from this, strengthening public health campaigns focusing on prevention, early detection and reducing lifestyle-related risk factors was suggested by health professionals. And related to this, we demanded to implement stricter regulations on smoking and alcohol consumption, including campaigns to raise awareness of their cancer-related risks.
Even though the professionals’ part was interesting, it was with the young cancer survivors that I learned the most. Some of them shared their experiences and what they had in common was the loneliness they felt after their diagnosis. Not until they found AYA (adolescent and young adults) survivor groups did they feel understood. They also wanted to highlight that cancer does not finish when treatment does and that they need more resources and a continuity in follow up care, as well as a smoother transition from paediatric to adult units. Moreover, most of them felt that sexuality and fertility issues are not being addressed, at least in their own experiences.
Young cancer survivors have a very active network and they advocate through Youth Cancer Europe. I believe that every professional should know this association because were they to have AYA patients, they would be able to refer them and help them to get through it. As they said, it was (and still is) of great importance to have reference groups to help and guide them, to share their experiences and to feel understood. Their web page can be found in this link.
All in all, attending this event was a great opportunity to network with other cancer professionals and survivors and to share our concerns as Early Career Nurses with the EU Health Commissioner.