AOSW Connections

Dear Readers, 

For most of us, spring has arrived, and we find ourselves enjoying nature’s most wonderful display. In the words of poet Rachel Carson, “There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature; the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” We hope that you find renewed spirit and energy at this beautiful time of year. 

As I reflect on the theme of this issue of Connections—AYA Oncology—I keep coming back to how much of this work sits at the intersection of timing and disruption.

Somehow, it is that time of year again, when many of us are making our travel plans and looking forward to connecting with old friends at AOSW’s Annual Conference. 

Since we face challenges daily as Oncology Social Workers, it is important for us to have a space to acknowledge our success. In this issue we spotlight three AOSW members for their recent achievements. See who’s being honored and why!

Young adults with cancer often fall into a space that feels, in many ways, “in between.” They are no longer pediatric patients, but they don’t always fit neatly into adult oncology models either. As social workers, we see how this in-between space carries not only medical complexity, but also profound developmental and psychosocial challenges. 

I had the privilege of working with a young adult cancer survivor, Nathan*, whose presenting concerns cut to the heart of a challenge that is common among AYAs, though it is often overlooked. On the surface, he was thriving: a high-performing professional in a demanding corporate environment, recognized for his commitment and rewarded with increasing responsibility. The culture of his workplace was one of relentless availability; stepping away early was quietly discouraged, and the expectation to remain present and productive was pervasive and unspoken. 

I spent time reflecting on my work with the adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology population in honor of AYA Awareness Week. Before sitting down to write, I revisited thank-you notes, emails, and even funeral cards from clients and families. These reminders grounded me in the reality that this population carries a uniquely complex survivorship experience—one that extends far beyond the completion of treatment. 

The emergence of Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) oncology in the late 1990s exposed a critical health disparity: a population underserved by traditional care models and overlooked by clinical research. However, the evolution of the field has proven that survival data is only half the story. Through the lens of oncology social work, we now recognize that AYA care requires a developmentally informed approach. From military-specific survivorship to meaning-centered art interventions, modern research is closing the gap by addressing the specific psychosocial milestones—career, identity, and autonomy—that define the young adult experience. Dr. Jen Currin-McCulloch and Adrianna Adams are members of ​​the AOSW Research Committee. ​​I asked them about their connection to AYA research. 

When a patient is parenting through cancer, the diagnosis rarely stays contained to the exam room. It shows up at breakfast tables, in school drop-offs, or during bedtime routines. It lives in the quiet moments when a child notices something has changed, even if no one has said the words out loud. 

William was 18 when first-line therapy failed, and his care was transferred to our institution. Along with him came a distrust for medical professionals, a lack of understanding how to navigate medical and insurance systems, issues with transportation, limited support from family, financial strain, all on top of the “normal life stuff” of an 18-year-old.

Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA), defined as individuals aged 15–39, represent a unique and rapidly expanding oncology population. Their developmental stage, marked by identity formation, educational advancement, career building, and family planning, intersects sharply with the life-altering reality of a cancer diagnosis.

 “You know, they should really work on making more of these hospice brochures with people on it that look like me.” 

She smiles. Before even glancing at the hospice informational brochure, I immediately recognized her point. The photo shows an older adult in a wheelchair alongside a young adult caregiver. The older adult’s expression is pleasant and peaceful, with silver hair and eyeglasses looking back at us.   

The Young Adult Support Group at Jefferson Health’s Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC) provides a sustained and evolving space for psychosocial care for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) navigating the complexities of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Coping with Cancer in Early Adulthood: From Diagnosis to Treatment to Day-to-Day Life Changes, Navigating Your Cancer Journey
By Cristina Pozo-Kaderman, PhD, and Saul Wisnia 

Reviewed by Amy Colver, LISW, OSW-C