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Canteen Australia is pleased to announce the upcoming 6th Global Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Congress, taking place on 3-6 December 2024 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

We surveyed young people who use Canteen Connect to understand what was working well and what we could improve.

We’re delighted that the Australian Government has today announced $9.4m in funding to enable us to continue delivering this vital service until 2027.

We're thrilled to announce that Canteen Australia is now on TikTok! This marks a significant milestone for us as we continue our mission to support young people when cancer turns their world upside down. 

Young people diagnosed with cancer will continue getting access to gold standard care through the Youth Cancer Services thanks to the $24.5M in funding announced in the Federal Budget last night. 

Relive the key moments from Life Cycle's 25 anniversary weekend in Western Australia. 3 days and 150 riders, all to support young people impacted by cancer.

In a remarkable feat of courage and endurance, cancer survivor Abhi has completed the gruelling 250-kilometre ultramarathon in the Sahara Desert, known as the toughest foot race on Earth. Abhi, who was supported by Canteen during his cancer journey, undertook this incredible challenge to raise funds for us to show his appreciation for our support during his toughest time.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) and other young people with diverse sexualities and genders have unique health needs and concerns when diagnosed with cancer.

Friends can be amazing and supportive, but cancer can shake even the strongest friendship. You may lose some friends and gain new ones.

Many young people who have been through cancer treatment feel it’s important to go back to school or study as soon as possible. But if you have been away for a long time, it’s normal to feel nervous as well as excited about going back to school.

Everyone experiences confidence and body image issues at some time in their life, particularly as a teenager and young adult. Your cancer experience can change how your body looks, feels and works and can make things even worse.

A lot of the work our research and evaluation team do is based on better understanding what it’s like to be a young person with cancer, including the sometimes elusive idea of friendship and connection. How do we measure that?

Dating and starting new relationships can be hard enough at the best of times! But after a cancer diagnosis, it may seem almost impossible.

There were many great presentations across the Congress. Here are a few take home messages which I found of interest...

Work is an important part of life – and not only for the money. Returning to work can help you to regain your confidence and independence and bring back a “normal” routine that gives you something to focus on other than cancer.

Guidance and support is crucial when you're diagnosed with cancer as a young person. Canteen helps by connecting you with the right help.

Youth Leadership is a big part of what we do at Canteen, and can have a long-lasting impact on people.

Since beginning my career in paediatric and adolescent oncology, it’s been my goal to amplify the voices of young cancer patients. I’ve been particularly focused on fertility, which always strikes a chord with me when Mother’s Day rolls around each year.

We are excited to introduce AYA Vision 2033, a cancer plan for Australian adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients.

Integrating the memory of your departed loved one into the festivities can foster a sense of togetherness. Here are some thoughtful suggestions to infuse their spirit into your celebrations this year...