News release

From: New Zealand Medical Association (NZMA)

An adolescents and young adults (AYA) cancer diagnosis is rare, with an average of 190 new cases each year
representing less than 1% of all new cancer diagnoses in New Zealand. Often young people present with
vague symptoms that primary healthcare professionals can attribute to AYA age and stage. It is theorised
that survival disparities that exist in the AYA age group may be impacted by delays in diagnosis. A survey of
over 200 young people with cancer conducted in 2018 by the AYA cancer network identified 35% of young
people visited a GP at least 3 times before referral to a specialist. The paper explored knowledge and
educational needs of primary health care professionals regarding identification and referral of AYA with
suspected cancer in New Zealand. The findings concluded a significant self-identified knowledge gap for
primary health care professionals related to AYA cancer symptoms and knowledge of diagnostic pathways.
Time is identified as a significant barrier to both diagnosis (ability to explore vague symptoms) and
professional development regarding AYA cancer. Primary health care providers are receptive to professional
AYA cancer education and their preference is for online provision.