Welcome to Teen Cancer Connection

Supporting adolescents with cancer through specialized care

Teen Cancer Connection is a unique program at SickKids that provides tailored support for patients aged 13 and older who are navigating cancer during the teen years, a critical stage of ilfe. The program was launched in January 2024 and was designed in collaboration with yourh patients and oncology staff. 

Why teen cancer care matters

Adolescence is a time of growth, independence, and self-discovery. A cancer diagnosis during this stage can disrupt key milestones such as:

• Gaining independence from caregivers
• Pursuing education and employment
• Exploring relationships and sexuality
• Navigating body changes and peer dynamics

Each year, approximately 9,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) aged 13–39 are diagnosed with cancer in Canada—about 3% of all cancer cases. Common cancers in this age group include:

• Lymphoma
• Thyroid
• Breast
• Testicular
• Melanoma

AYAs often face long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional effects from treatment. Yet, they fall between two health care systems:

• Paediatric oncology typically serves children with an average age of 4 years
• Adult oncology serves patients with an average age of 60 years

Teen Cancer Connection bridges this gap by offering developmentally appropriate care for youth.

Here is what our staff, patients and families have to say about the program:

“Specialized adolescent-tailored supportive care plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges and bridging gaps within the existing cancer care system,” - Becca Côté, Teen Cancer Connection Nurse.

"No one had talked to me about some of these things, like dating, sex, exercise. Everyone just talks to me about cancer, but there's more going on than just cancer" - 17 year old patient.

"I think sometimes doctors and nurses assume that because I have cancer, other normal teen things aren't important to me. But that's not true and it's nice to have someone to talk to about the stuff that's important to me as a teen" - 15 year old patient.

"[My daughter] really enjoyed the check-ins. It made her feel normal and she talked to her about the stuff that mattered to her outside of the hospital. It reminded her that she is so much more than her cancer" - father of a 15 year old patient.

What we offer

Teen Cancer Connection provides:

• One-on-one support to identify concerns, offer education, and connect patients to hospital and community resources
• Psychosocial care tailored to the unique needs of teens
• Peer connection initiatives to reduce isolation and foster community
• Transition support for moving from paediatric to adult care
• Staff education to enhance adolescent-specific care across departments

Partners and support

We extend our gratitude to the Haematology/Oncology Psychosocial Program and the Garron Family Cancer Centre for their ongoing support of Teen Cancer Connection.

Explore our resourcse & support

Visit the Teen Cancer Learning Hub on AboutKidsHealth for resources and education about cancer in teens. Check out our Teen Cancer Connection resource list for additional resrouces:

• 13thirty
• Look Good Feel Better
• CHOP AYA FAQS
• Living Out Loud
• MacMillan; Relationships
• Canteen

For general inquiries about the program, or to be referred, contact us at: teen.cancer@sickkids.ca.