Teenagers and young adults affected by cancer

Whether you're a young person with cancer, or you're looking after someone else with cancer, find the help and support you need.

This page has information for: 

  1. Young people with cancer
  2. Young carers

1. Information for young people with cancer

If you are a teenager or a younger adult and have cancer, it can be difficult to find information and support that is right for you. A lot of the things you are facing might be the same as an older person with cancer.

But other things might be different, such as the:

  • type of cancer
  • treatment you need
  • people involved in your care
  • things you need to think about or plan for
  • effects of cancer treatment on your longer-term health and wellbeing.

Our cancer information is written for everyone and Macmillan is here to support you.

Explore our cancer information


There are also organisations that provide cancer information and support for specific ages and stages of life. We have listed some of them below.

Organisations supporting young people with cancer

Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer (TYAC)
Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer (TYAC) is a specialist network of professionals who treat and care for teenagers and young adults with cancer. It has information about teenage and young adult cancers.
Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT)
Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) supports people aged 13 to 24. It has information about cancer and a range of support, events and tools.
Trekstock
Trekstock provides support and services for people affected by cancer in their 20s or 30s.
Young Lives vs Cancer
Young Lives vs Cancer provides clinical, practical and emotional support for children, teenagers and young people with cancer. Visit their website to find out more including Live Chat, phone or email support for anyone under the age of 25.

Amrik's story

 

"I’d just turned 18. All of a sudden I was being rushed from hospital room to hospital room.

I had quite a lot of anger. And I was in disbelief as well.

 

My parents being around every day was important. The best thing was when my friend surprised me by coming back from uni for a visit. He didn’t have to say much; it was just him talking about normal stuff that kept me going."

Amrik, a young person diagnosed with cancer, sits on the kitchen counter in his home
Amrik, a young person diagnosed with cancer, sits on the kitchen counter in his home

How we can help

If you would like to talk to us, you can:

Icon Telephone

Call us

We're here to talk about whatever matters to you. Whether you need a listening ear to talk about what you're going through, or if you want to ask questions or get more information. Whatever you want to talk about, you can call us for free on 0808 808 00 00. The line is open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.

Chat online

If you're over 18, you can talk to us using our live chat service. Click on the 'Chat to us' icon at the bottom right of your screen to open a new conversation.

Join an Online Community forum

Visit our Diagnosed at a Young Age forum to talk with people going through the same things, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions. Our Online Community is for anyone aged 16 and over who is affected by cancer. You can access it any time of day or night.

2. Information for young carers

If you are under the age of 18 and spend time looking after someone who is ill, you are a young carer. Being a young carer can affect your life in many ways.
We have more information about:

Jai and Mandeep are sitting in chairs in a waiting area. Jai is wearing a long, dark coat and is holding open a booklet. Next to him is Mandeep who is wearing a long sleeved white top. Both appear to be talking to each other. Jai and Mandeep are sitting in chairs in a waiting area. Jai is wearing a long, dark coat and is holding open a booklet. Next to him is Mandeep who is wearing a long sleeved white top. Both appear to be talking to each other.
Support for young carers
Find out about support groups, young carers' projects and other organisations that can help you as a young carer.
A photo of Bei, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in December 2014. In the image she is sitting on a sofa, smiling at the camera and has knitting materials in her hands.A photo of Bei, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in December 2014. In the image she is sitting on a sofa, smiling at the camera and has knitting materials in her hands.
Your feelings
It's normal to have many different emotions when someone close to you is diagnosed with cancer. Get information to help you cope.
Grace sitting at the kitchen table with her mumGrace sitting at the kitchen table with her mum
Your rights and choices
Find out about legal guidelines and the rights you have as a young carer looking after someone with cancer.
Community care coordinator project. Three women sat round a table looking at a tablet.Community care coordinator project. Three women sat round a table looking at a tablet.
Work, school and college
Whether you're in school or at college, there's lots of help and support to make sure you don't have to go through everything alone.
Three young people walking together along the pavementThree young people walking together along the pavement
Relationships and friends
Being a young carer can affect your relationships with family members, friends and partners. There are things you can do to help build positive relationships and get the support you need.
Father and daughter are going through paperwork at home Father and daughter are going through paperwork at home
The young carers booklet

Read our guide for young people looking after someone with cancer.

Amy's story

"My life changed so suddenly. My dad had been the one who’d cared for me, bought my clothes for school, did the washing and cooked my dinner. No-one else offered to step up and care for him, so it was up to me.

I've always thought that carers aren't recognised for just how much we really do. It is undeniably a 24-hour job, and the pressure is very real, especially if you're caring for someone close to you. Carers need care too."

Getting support as a young carer

If you would like to talk, get in touch. We offer practical, emotional and financial help for anyone affected by cancer, including young people and carers.

A Macmillan Support Line advisor. The man with blonde hair is smiling and wearing a headset and a patterned top.

Call the support line

You can call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm. We can answer your questions about cancer, or just be there to listen if you feel like talking to someone.

A woman looking at her mobile phone

Chat to us online

If you're over 18, you can also use our online chat service.

A mobile phone showing a health schedule app.

Talk to others on the Online Community

Connect with other carers on the Carers Only forum on the Online Community. It's a safe space to talk about your feelings or simply read about the experiences of other carers from all backgrounds and ages.

"I used the community to vent my worries to others who’d been in my situation. People were so kind on there" - Sarah 

Other useful links