European Network of Youth Cancer Survivors

The EU-funded project “EU-CAYAS-NET” aimed at developing a “European Network of Youth Cancer Survivors” alongside an interactive virtual platform. The network fostered social networking, peer-support, knowledge-exchange, and aimed at improving:

• the quality of life of survivors (including mental health, education & career support, follow-up care and transition),
• the care for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer, and
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) along the whole treatment and survivorship trajectory.

Throughout the project, a wide range of knowledge, tools, and resources were developed to support the childhood and youth cancer survivor community. Explore the outcomes of these collaborative efforts below.

Jump to:

• General Resources
• Mental Health & Psychosocial Care
• Education & Career Support
• Late Effects & Long-Term Follow-Up Care
• Transition
• AYA Care
• EDI
• Partners

About this resource: This digital brochure brings together all academic publications, conference presentations, research outputs, and hands-on material generated through the EU-CAYAS-NET project. It serves as a central, evolving resource for researchers, CAYAs with lived experience of cancer, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. It explores scientific evidence, innovations, and lived experiences shaping the future of cancer and survivorship care for young people.

About this resource: this position paper summarizes actionable recommendations from the Quality of Life work package of the EU-CAYAS-NET project, addressing mental health, education & career support, transition and follow-up care gaps across Europe.

About this resource: This comprehensive resource provides a harmonised set of joint recommendations to improve the mental health and psychosocial well-being of CAYA cancer patients and survivors. Created through a co-creating process involving survivors, patient advocates, HCPs, and researchers, the document consolidates existing national and international guidelines and adapts them to the European context. The recommendations cover a wide range of essential domains, including social aspects, basic psychological care, neuropsychological surveillance, psychoeducation, emotional and social support for patients and families, management of fatigue, education and career support, fertility, chronic pain, peer support, and addressing grief and loss in survivorship.

About this resource: In an ongoing effort to enhance the quality of life for people living with and beyond cancer a series of awareness materials were developed within the EU-CAYAS-NET project. To make these resources user-friendly and widely distributable, a set of pocket cards were designed. These cards are intended to be shared in clinics, patient organizations, and throughout the community. They serve as a foundation for dialogue among people living with and beyond cancer and their families, healthcare professionals, and others involved in the process such as teachers, friends, and peers. Additionally, these cards can be valuable tools in policy advocacy.

Each pocket card zooms in on a specific topic, outlining the issue at hand, what actions are needed, and how to approach these actions, including recommendations for policy work.

About this resource: CAYA cancer survivors face unique challenges on their education and career pathways. At the same time, schools and workplaces are often unaware of the needs associated with the disease and treatment and there is usually a lack of knowledge about what additional support can be offered. So, it is important to learn more about the needs of CAYA cancer survivors and to be able to provide appropriate support.

The Train-the-Trainer programme wants to promote educational and vocational situations that match the skills, personality, passion and future plans of survivors.

The manual comprises 9 modules, always describing the goal, method and necessary materials for each module. The manual also contains information on the background of Train-the-Trainer concepts and aspects of developmental psychology as well as examples for input and group work.

About this resource: The report addresses how cancer diagnosis and treatment affect the education, training and career paths of CAYA cancer survivors across Europe. It identifies the specific barriers these young survivors face when re-entering school, vocational training or the labour market: treatment-related interruptions, cognitive or physical late effects, limited employer/educator awareness and lack of tailored support services.
The document provides evidence on the long-term impact of cancer on employment and career progression, and offers practical recommendations and interventions aimed at supporting re-integration into education and work. It emphasizes the importance of early planning, cross-sector collaboration (healthcare, education, employment), and the role of policy to ensure that young survivors can achieve meaningful careers and full social participation.

About this resource: This guide was created by survivors of CAYA cancer to improve communication about the long-term effects of cancer and its treatment between survivors and their healthcare providers. Developed through the EU-CAYAS-NET network, these guidelines aim to foster open, compassionate conversations between survivors and healthcare providers, helping ensure better, person-centered follow-up care.

About this resource: A roadmap showing recommendations for the implementation of optimal survivorship care for CAYA cancer survivors in Europe. These recommendations are based on the outcomes of activities within the project as well as knowledge from previous projects.