Dana Farber Program Helps Young Adults With Cancer

BOSTON (CBS) – When you think of patients with cancer, you often think of middle aged or older adults, but a significant number of young adults are also affected. And they have unique concerns and needs that the Dana Farber Cancer Institute here in Boston is trying to address. “I would go to doctors’ appointments and sit in the waiting room and everyone else was 20 to 30 to 40 years older than me,” says Carolyn Ridge of Natick. Carolyn was only 30 when she was diagnosed with cancer. She thought she had symptoms of a urinary tract infection, but her doctor discovered something no one had suspected. “I was called later that afternoon,” Carolyn recalls. “I was told that I had masses throughout my abdomen.” Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer. Not part of the life plan Carolyn had laid out for herself. “When I hit 30,” she remembers, “I had lots of plans to graduate from nursing school. I wanted to work as a nurse, get married, have children, have a house with a picket fence. I wanted all of those things that I had dreamed about when I was little.” Dreams that many people Carolyn’s age have. Dr. Karen Fasciano, a clinical psychologist at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute says Carolyn is part of a unique group. “Many young adults are starting careers, starting new relationships, starting families,” Dr. Fasciano explains. “They don’t have as much financial security. They’re living away from their family for the first time, and having cancer really ...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Seen On WBZ-TV Syndicated Local Watch Listen Cancer Carolyn Ridge Dana Farber Cancer Institute Dr. Mallika Marshall Source Type: news