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For Patients & Families

Young Adult Program (YAP)

  • Paige Malinowski meets with patient Lauren Leonard

  • Young adults with cancer face very different challenges than patients who were diagnosed earlier in childhood or later in adulthood.

    The Young Adult Program at Dana-Farber (YAP@DFCI) is part of our Adult Psychosocial Oncology Program; it is also part of an international initiative to recognize and address the unique circumstances related to lifestyle, work, school, family life, and emotional development that young adults face when living with cancer.

    YAP@DFCI provides emotional support services, opportunities to meet other young adults receiving treatment, and educational programs aimed at enhancing knowledge and self-advocacy skills.

    Stay up-to-date on YAP programs, events, and highlights with our monthly e-newsletter: 

    Read our Insight blog for information and inspiration about the Young Adult Program at Dana-Farber.


  • It's hard to know what to say to help support a friend who has been diagnosed with cancer or is dealing with other difficult news. Members of the Young Adult Program (YAP) provided insight on what was helpful to them. (This video was created by JV Films and supported by the BU Activist Lab and the Young Adult Program.)

  • Life Shift: The emotional side of cancer for a young adult
    Young adult patients Paul and Christina share their unique knowledge on the need for and ways to get emotional support.


  • Christina Dixon, who was 22 when diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, looks back on her experience coming to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute as a young adult.

  • Contact the Young Adult Program

    To schedule an appointment with Adult Psychosocial Oncology or learn more about clinical mental health services:

    617-632-6181

    To get information about YAP programs, events, or volunteer opportunities:

  • Get YAP's New Smartphone App, iaya

    Are you a young adult living with cancer? Join iaya, a new smartphone app created by the Young Adult Program, to help build community around coping skills. Available to any young adult (age 18-39) treated at Dana-Farber in adult medical oncology.

    For more information and to obtain an access code, please email yap@dfci.harvard.edu, or call 617-632-6819.

    Read the iaya terms and conditions.

  • YAP's e-Newsletter:
    Read and Subscribe

    Read our most recent e-newsletter

    Subscribe by emailing yap@dfci.harvard.edu