Evaluating Feasibility of the YATAC Programme

Overview

Between 2019 and 2023, the Young Adult Taking Action (YATAC) program was developed to support young adults recovering from cancer. The program is based on three key studies: * A review of previous programs designed to help young adult cancer survivors. * A study where young adults, their families and friends, and healthcare professionals shared what kind of support young people need to return to everyday life. * A collaborative process where young adults, professionals, and researchers worked together to design the program's content and how it should be delivered. YATAC is specifically designed for young adults and includes different areas of support, such as setting goals, managing daily life, staying active, coping with psychological challenges, navigating education and work, understanding rights and finances, relationships and sexuality, family and friends, and peer-to-peer support. The first phase of the project was funded by the Danish Cancer Society, the Region of Southern Denmark, the University of Southern Denmark, and REHPA, the Danish Knowledge Centre for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care. One of the study in the second phase includes: Study 1: A feasibility study to see if young adults find the program relevant and helpful, and whether they are able to participate. A total of 40 young adults will try the program at the Center for Cancer and Health in Copenhagen. The findings will help refine the program so it can be adapted to local healthcare services. The results from these studies will provide valuable insights into how to better support young adult cancer survivors and reduce the long-term challenges they face. The program is expected to improve their quality of life while also helping to reduce healthcare costs and social inequality.

Young adult cancer survivors aged 18-39 experience extensive age-specific late effects after cancer treatment affecting their everyday life; yet, they are not receiving rehabilitation after ending treatment, leading to reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In 2019, the 'Young Adult Taking Action' (YATAC) programme was established to develop a rehabilitation programme supporting young adult cancer survivors in taking control over their everyday life and increasing their HRQoL. The programme is a person-centred, goal-oriented, interdisciplinary and peer-based intervention. It is delivered over 16 weeks, primarily as a group-based intervention and consists of the following components: 1. Needs assessment and goal setting 2. Everyday life 3. Physical activity 4. Mental health 5. Education and work 6. Sexuality and relationship 7. Family and friends The overall perspectives are to improve quality of life, self-efficacy, functioning and reduce cancer and treatment-related late effects in young adult cancer survivors. The programme has undergone a development process and is now ready to be tested to prepare national scalability. The study include: 1\) A feasibility study assessing the content and delivery of the YATAC programme for young adult cancer survivors in the Municipality of Copenhagen. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected about acceptability of the programme and its intervention components, potential mechanisms of action, perceived value, benefits, harms, and unintended consequences and fidelity, reach, and dose. Furthermore, costs related to content and delivery of the YATAC programme will also be evaluated. The project will potentially change rehabilitation practice in Danish municipalities for young adult cancer survivors and reduce the disabling late effects from cancer treatment, so they can obtain the best possible HRQoL.