Research: Tailored support matters for families facing cancer

A new study published by Canteen has demonstrated the effectiveness of tailored, holistic support for young people facing a cancer diagnosis in their immediate family.?

Every year, approximately 22,000 Australian adolescents and young adults (AYAs) face the impacts of an immediate family member’s cancer diagnosis. Our study—the first of its kind—measured distress levels and unmet needs in these AYAs. We did this using a Psychosocial Assessment and Review Process, which included self-reported levels of distress and unmet need, a semi-structured interview, and an individualised support plan incorporating Canteen’s services.??

We compared baseline scores with results reported six months after AYAs engaged with Canteen, and found that up to two-thirds experienced a meaningful improvement in psychosocial wellbeing.??

Key findings include: ?

• High levels of distress: Amongst siblings of people with cancer, bereaved siblings, offspring, and bereaved offspring, there are high levels of distress when they access Canteen for support.?

• More significant unmet needs: 85% of AYAs had at least one unmet cancer-related need. These could include a need for information, recreation and respite, and relationship support.?

• Improved wellbeing: Majority of AYAs had an improvement in distress, unmet needs or both in the first 6 months after accessing Canteen for support.?

Overburdened health services are often unable to provide age-appropriate, individualised support to AYAs facing family cancer. This means that during a challenging developmental stage, AYAs can become “invisible patients”, missing out on support that could improve their psychosocial wellbeing. This new research demonstrates the crucial role community organisations have in providing services developed to meet cancer-specific needs.?

Read the published paper here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07347332.2025.2452863#abstract