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Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
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Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
Sheryl M. Ness
Sheryl Ness, R.N., O.C.N., is a nurse educator for the Cancer Education Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. She helps inform patients, families and caregivers about services and resources to help them through the cancer journey.
She has a master's degree in nursing from Augsburg College. In addition, she is an assistant professor of oncology at the College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and is certified as a specialist in oncology nursing. Sheryl has worked for more than 20 years at Mayo Clinic as an educator. She has a keen interest in the importance of the quality of life and concerns of people living with cancer.
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Living with cancer blog
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March 30, 2010
Young adults with cancer face unique challenges
By Sheryl M. Ness, R.N.
Having a diagnosis of cancer is difficult at any age. However, if you're one of nearly 70,000 young adults in your late teens to early thirties diagnosed with cancer, you're experiencing some unique challenges.
You may be at a point in your life when you're sorting through educational opportunities, exploring new work experiences and lifestyle options. Now, suddenly your focus is redirected to learning more about your cancer, navigating treatment options and managing the many challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Other concerns that young adults with cancer may encounter include:
- Fragmented or no insurance coverage
- Maintaining an independent living environment
- Living far from your immediate family
- Peer support
- Privacy
- Dating, intimacy, relationships and fertility
- Maintaining self-esteem and a sense of normal life
- Inexperience navigating the medical system
- Managing medical treatment, side effects of treatment and coordinating care following treatment
- Tracking and management of long-term or late effects of cancer treatment as they transition through the adult years
Research shows that young adult cancer survivors may have poorer outcomes as a whole because of a variety of factors. These factors include delayed diagnosis (symptoms may be ignored or attributed to other things), limited access to clinical trials, fragmented medical care (young adults may be in between their pediatrician care and finding an adult care provider), lack of education and awareness related to risk factors and knowledge of cancer screening strategies.
It's not easy being a cancer survivor at any age, but as a young adult, it can be particularly difficult. In this blog, I encourage those of you who are young adults with cancer to reach out to each other and share experiences, resources and strategies.
16 comments posted
April 12, 2012 11:11 p.m.
I am a young cancer survivor and love to connect with other Young survivors. Our challenges are unique, that's for sure! My blog is www.kristinmburk.blogspot.com. Would love to hear from you.
- Kristin
December 25, 2010 8:35 a.m.
merry christmas to u aisha and all of u. i hope this new yr brngs more happiness and peace in our lives... tc
- ashu
December 21, 2010 5:47 p.m.
Hey Ashu, The headaches are the worst but I'm holding steady. Hope you're getting ready to welcome 2011.I'm excited- a new year & a new beginning.
- Aisha
December 19, 2010 8:07 a.m.
hey aisha, how u doin thr? i still have taste problem after radiotherapy i don kno for how long it ll last. i don like anything coz everything is tasteless.
- ashu
December 14, 2010 6:13 a.m.
Hey Ashu, how are you doing? Hey Chris, how are the kids?
- Aisha
December 12, 2010 3:53 a.m.
hey aisha,the tragic is im also done wid my radiotherapy last week and i know its very painful cause i m in the same phase as u.but dont worry the sideeffcts will last only for a month.be brave.life is not fair smtime,i know.like i want to get well for ma parents coz they love me so much and u have ur children.so think positive,be happy,god bless u.
- ashu
December 9, 2010 1:34 p.m.
Hey Ashu, Your question is going to be the 1st one I ask when I see God's face. I'm married (for now), with 2 kids. I don't have time for pitty parties but what a burden this is!!!! I had my last radiation treatment today and I feel an emotional breakdown coming on... Keep your head up!
- Aisha
December 9, 2010 5:54 a.m.
hi,my name is ashu from india n im 21.i ws diagnosed with cancer,it ws like erthquake 4 me.it took time for being diagnosed. evrthin was going so gud in college.i cant imagine abt this.im the only son of ma family n due to this my whole family is upset.Earlier i was having so many complains with god.but now i understand the importance of life and i got to know we shud thank god for everything.my disease is very rare one and the treatment is so much expensive.it is the biggest fight of my life.n i know ill get rid of this.but sometime i feel why me? why me? i jst want my normal life back.
- ashu
November 15, 2010 9:35 a.m.
Hi Everyone, My name is Meg and though I have not personally been touched by the crushing affects of cancer, I have become closely associated with it in my work. I am a new staff member of Camp Good Days and Special Times, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of children, adults and famlies whose lives have been touched by cancer. AS a part of our mission, we offer you our support through programs such as our young adult retreat free of charge because we believe that no one who is dealing with, or has dealt with cancer should do it alone. Please! Take the time to look into our programs and get involved with Camp Good Days and Special Times, we would love to have you! Check out our website at www.campgooddays.org or email me at mbell@campgooddays.org for more information on our programs. Thank you, your strength and courage is what guides our work daily.
- Meg
November 10, 2010 3:55 p.m.
Hi Everyone, Grade 2 Meningioma here. Regardless of what doctors, the other learned and the totally ignorant say; We "rock" !!!!!Count how many people are in your life now that have the size of 'balls' that we have! Not many are there? Rock on with your bad self! Chris, keep your head up.
- Aisha
September 9, 2010 11:56 a.m.
Im 21 i had a Ct Scan and they found small bilateral pulmonary modules of indetereminate etiology in my lungs should i be worried since my mom had cancer 2 aunts whom are my dads only sisters had cancer and my mothers dad?
- Maura
August 31, 2010 3:16 p.m.
Hi, I am 13 and live in the UK. I just got into remission for the second time from AML and really agree with this article cos being so young, cancer has big time disrupted my life, school, friends, family and my love for ballet. I just wanted to tell anyone out there who is going through the horrible-ness that is chemotherapy, not to give up. Many times throughout my treatment did I want to give up, but luckily for me I was surrounded by friends and family who helped me through it, every step of the way. But there is no denying it, it was hard.
- Tori :)
August 17, 2010 4:15 a.m.
Cancer for young adults is crushing. I have stage 4 esphageal cancer. I also have a wife and 2 babies (3 yrs & 10 mnths). There are not any programs ou there to help youg adults. My wife lost her job due to my health & no one will hire her due to my health. I am trying to get private insurance for my girls. I am cashin in retirement accounts. I feel like I am crating such a burden for my family. We make too much for govt assistance plus the wait times are too long for us to survie. This is so hard. More mentally than physically. What will my wife a babies have?
- Chris
April 2, 2010 2:06 a.m.
Anna and Lisa: So sorry that you are going through these trials. Our family is almost a year into our grandson's Melanoma IV with brain tumor. I hope you are both finding the same type of wonderful care providers that we found at the Pittsburgh, PA hospital and help with your medical costs. We are so thankful that he was located near this treatment center with such wonderful doctors and others.
- Grma D
April 1, 2010 8:03 p.m.
Anna, I am a young adult living with a brain tumor as well. I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and your husband and lifting you up in prayer.
- Lisa
April 1, 2010 7:28 p.m.
I definitely agree with this article. My husband was diagnosed with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiform in January of 06. He was 24 years old, just out of college and had no insurance. Our life has been up and down ever since. Financially, emotionally, etc... Without our families and friends help there is no way we would be where we are today. My husband has had 38 surgeries in less than 3 years. (blood brain barrier disruptions and inter-arterial, and craniotomys). We have thankfully been able to stay with family for a short period and have had help in getting our one bedroom apartment. Not exactly where we would see ourselves right now but thankful for everyday together. I'm working full time and looking at adding a part-time job while my husband is in-between treatments. My husband is permanently disabled and no longer able to work, so long time financial help is very hard to come by. I could go on and on about every area in this article but just wanted to say that it is definitely a little harder on younger patients (young adults) who were really just starting their lives when they were diagnosed.
- Anna
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