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Cancer is one of the leading causes of non-accidental death among adolescents in Canada. The treatment cost per adolescent on the healthcare system in Ontario ranges from $311,998 to $420,354. These costs do not capture the indirect costs such as time spent on commuting to treatment centers that are far away from their communities.
Despite the advances in pediatric cancer treatment which has improved the survival outcomes of young children (<15 years of age), the quality of life among youths (ages 15-19 years) are comparatively poorer. Local and provincial governments in Canada have taken concerted efforts to bring cancer care delivery closer to communities.
However, youths living with cancer and their families are still unable to receive timely and relevant care without having to travel to tertiary treatment centers. The direct and indirect cost of care not only impacts families but also the health system. These unnecessary expenses arise likely because the care needs of youth with cancer are still not well characterized which, in turn, affects the type and quality of care that youths receive from their parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
Therefore, exploring and documenting the experiences of youths living with cancer and the perspectives of their parents and healthcare providers is a critical step towards understanding the existing gaps in oncology care for youths, which can translate into the development of timely and relevant integrated care for youths with cancer within their own community.
| Youth Participants | Family Participants | Healthcare Provider Participants |
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We are looking to recruit youths who are living/lived with cancer, parents, and healthcare providers.
Youths/parents are eligible to participate if:
1. Youths/families of youths who received their cancer diagnosis within the past ten years (i.e., between Jan/2014 and Dec/2023) and were between ages 12 and 18 years of age during this period, and
2. Youths who received part/all of their oncology care at Windsor Regional Hospital, and
3. Youths should have the ability to consent and participate in an interview independently
4. Speak English
5. Youths who received their cancer diagnosed in the last three months will not be eligible to participate.
Healthcare providers are eligible to participate:
1. if providers e.g., oncologists, registered nurse, therapists etc. work in Windsor Essex Region and provide care for youths with cancer and their families
Youth Participants | Parent Participants
Health Care Professional Participants
