https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/Health_Professionals/Patient_Referral/Pages/dr_referral_psychosocial_oncology.aspx


AYA Team​​

Contact

Program Coordinator:
Luxshiga Premakumar

​Email: aya@uhn.ca ​​​

https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/Health_Professionals/Patient_Referral/Pages/dr_referral_psychosocial_oncology.aspx

What's New

Newsletter:
September AYA newsletter [PDF, opens in new window] »

In-Person Yoga: September 21st from 12-1pm
Join us on September 21st from 12-1pm at Princess Margaret Hospital for Yoga! Have a relaxing one-hour session, learning some new yoga poses! The classes will involve participants positioning themselves in a seated or lying down position. Class is open to patients of all levels of experience. We hope to see you all there! Email aya@uhn.ca to get on the list!

New Social Worker, Simone Kurup:
Simone has developed and facilitated psychosocial programs to help children, adolescents, young adults, and families affected by chronic and life-threatening illnesses cope and manage the multifaceted demands. Simone also has a background in grief therapy, supporting individuals and families understand and manage their loss related to illness. To speak to Simone please email aya@uhn.ca.

New School/Work Transitions Counselor, Sharon D'Souza:
The AYA Program has a new School/Work Transitions Counselor! Her role is supporting and motivating patients through their transitions to school and work to make these transitions less overwhelming. Email aya@uhn.ca to self-refer yourself!

Sexual Health Video:
We have a new video, "Sexual Health Considerations for Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment." Find it on the Sexual Health Resources page or watch it on YouTube.

Events:
Check out the AYA Events Tab! Learn about upcoming A​YA events and view photos from past events.​

AYA Events
AYA Yoga





What We Do​​​​

The AYA Program provides personalized, supportive care related to concerns common to young adults with cancer at Princess Margaret. These concerns include fertility, sexual health, school and work concerns, peer support, and wellness. For Princess Margaret patients age 39 or younger, the AYA Program can:

  • Identify your individual needs
  • Provide education and support
  • Link you to other community and hospital services and resources
  • Help you connect to other patients​
    ​​

How to Get Referred

Referrals to the AYA Program can be made by:
  • Health care providers. Refer a Princess Margaret AYA patient to the program by contacting the AYA office directly, by email or fax. eFax referrals to 416 946 2069. UHN referrals through EPIC.
  • Patients. If you are a Princess Margaret patient, you can self-refer to the program anytime by emailing aya@uhn.ca.
How Long Does a Referral Take?

The AYA Program will contact you with your appointment time. Email the AYA office if you do not receive information about your appointment within a few weeks.​​


Health Information

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          The Team

          Headshot of Abha Gupta Dr. Abha GuptaMedical Director, AYA Program
          Headshot of Jennifer Catsburg Jennifer CatsburgClinical Nurse Specialist
          Headshot of Luxshiga Premakumar Luxshiga PremakumarProgram Coordinator
          Headshot of Sharon D'Souza Sharon D'SouzaPOGO/AYA School and Work Transitions Counsellor
          Headshot of Emily Barca Emily BarcaSocial Worker
          Headshot of Simone Kurup Simone KurupRegistered Social Worker
          Headshot of Chana Korenblum Dr. Chana KorenblumPhysician, Psychosocial Oncology
          Headshot of Kim Edelstein Dr. Kim EdelsteinClinical Neuropsychologist
          Headshot of Ahmed Al-Awamer Dr. Ahmed Al-AwamerPhysician, Palliative Care
          Headshot of Dr. Pamela Mosher Dr. Pamela MosherPsychiatrist
          Headshot of Dr. Norma D'Agostino Dr. Norma D'AgostinoClinical Psychologist
          Headshot of Dr. Aliza Panjwani Dr. Aliza PanjwaniClinical Psychologist
          Headshot of Dr. Jonathan Avery Dr. Jonathan AveryPsychosocial Researcher​


          AYA Newsletters

          Latest edition: September 2023

          Image of the AYA Program logo  

          Read the latest newsletter [PDF, opens in new window] »

          • AYA Art Therapy: September 7
          • AYA Virtual Meet-up: September 12 and 21
          • AYA Yoga: September 21

          Past editions:

          2023
          2022
          2021
          2020


          ​About AYA Meet-Ups

          The AYA Meet-Ups are facilitated meet-up sessions for young adults under 39 with any type of cancer. Supporters (friends, family and partners) are welcome.​​ At this time, the meet-up is run as a virtual monthly event.

          Registration

          Registration is required by phone or email. Call 416 946 4501 ext. 3547 or email aya@uhn.ca​ to register and receive the meeting link.​​​​



          Publications

          1. The Effect of Specialized Palliative Care on End-of-Life Care Intensity in AYAs with Cancer [opens in new window].
            Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (2023).
            Authors: Jewitt N, Rapoport A, Gupta A, Srikanthan A, Sutradhar R, Luo J, Widger K, Wolfe J, Earle CC, Gupta S, Kassam A.
          2. Adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology: A credentialed area of focused competence in Canada [opens in new window].
            Cancer Medicine (2023).
            Authors: Srikanthan A, Karpinski J, Gupta A.
          3. Peer Support Needs and Preferences for Digital Peer Navigation among Adolescent and Young Adults with Cancer: A Canadian Cross-Sectional Survey [opens in new window].
            Current Oncology (2022).
            Authors: Bender JL, Puri N, Salih S, D'Agostino NM, Tsimicalis A, Howard AF, Garland SN, Chalifour K, Drake EK, Marrato A, McKean NL, Gupta AA.
          4. Impact of locus of care on outcomes in adolescents and young adults with osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma treated at pediatric versus adult cancer centers: An IMPACT cohort study [opens in new window].
            Pediatric Blood & Cancer (2022).
            Authors: Mortazavi M, Baxter NN, Gupta S, Gupta AA, Lau C, Nagamuthu C, Nathan PC.
          5. Looking Back to Move Forward: Lessons Learned from a Successful, Sustainable, Replicable Model of Adolescent and Young Adult Program of a Tertiary Cancer Care Center [opens in new window].
            Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (2022).
            Authors: Pitch N, Stefaniuk S, MacMillan M, Catsburg J, Gupta AA, Vora T.
          6. Peer Support Perspectives of Parents of Adolescents with Cancer in Pediatrics [opens in new window].
            Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (2022).
            Authors: Weidman DR, Lee SCS, Desmarais P, Stevens K, Klinger CA, Colquhoun H, Bender JL, Gupta A.
          7. Measuring What Gets Done: Using Goal Attainment Scaling in a Vocational Counselling Program for Survivors of Childhood Cancer [opens in new window].
            Cancer Medicine (2022).
            Authors: Pole JD, Williams B, Di Giuseppe G, Guger S, Stasiulis E, Greenberg ML, Spiegler BJ, Edelstein K.
          8. Peer support needs and preferences for digital peer navigation among adolescent and young adults with cancer: A Canadian cross-sectional survey [opens in new window].
            Current Oncology (2022).
            Authors: Bender JL, Puri N, Salih S, D'Agostino N, Tsimicalis A, Howard AF, Garland SN, Chalifour K, Drake EK, Maratto A, McKean NL, Gupta AA.
          9. Looking back to move forward: Lessons learned from a successful, sustainable, replicable model of adolescent and young adult program of a tertiary cancer care center [opens in new window].
            Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (2022).
            Authors: Pitch N, Stefaniuk S, MacMillan M, Catsburg J, Gupta AA, Vora T.
          10. Preliminary findings of focus group analysis to support the needs of adolescent and young adult patients and survivors of cancer: Steps toward a national adolescent and young adult supportive care program [opens in new window].
            Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (2021).
            Authors: Vora T, Chapman S, Uppal S, Shanawaz S, Emanuele C, Gupta AA, Avery J.
          11. Peer support needs of adolescents with cancer in pediatrics: A Canadian mixed methods study [opens in new window].
            Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (2021).
            Authors: Weidman D, Gupta AA, Bender J, Klinger C, Colquhoun H, Desmarais P, Stevens K.
          12. Internet and social media use in cancer patients: association with distress and perceived benefits and limitations [opens in new window].
            Support Care Cancer (2021).
            Authors: Jacqueline Bender, Katrina Hueniken, Lawson Eng, M Catherine Brown, Shayan Kassirian, Ilana Geist, Karmugi Balaratnam, Mindy Liang, Chelsea B Paulo, Arielle Geist, Pryangka Rao, Alexander Magony, Elliot C Smith, Wei Xu, Geoffrey Liu, and Abha A Gupta.
          13. Letter to the Editor: Music meet up -- Preliminary results of a novel music therapy group intervention for adolescents and young adults with cancer [opens in new window].
            Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (2021).
            Authors: Samadi M, Avery J, Black SR, Gupta AA, Korenblum CB.
          14. Supporting the needs of adolescents and young adults: Integrated palliative care and psychiatry clinic for adolescents and young adults with cancer [opens in new window].
            Cancers (Basel) (2021).
            Authors: Abdelaal M, Mosher PJ, Gupta AA, Bannon B, Cameron C, Berman M, Moineddin R, Avery J, Mitchell L, Li M, Zimmermann C, Al-Awamer A.
          15. Preferences for exercise and physical activity support in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: A cross-sectional survey [opens in new window].
            Supportive Care in Cancer (2021).
            Authors: Adams SC, Petrella A, Sabiston C, Vani MF, Gupta AA, Trinh L, Mathew AG, Hamilton RJ, Santa Mina D.
          16. Young Adult Cancer Survivorship: Recommendations for Patient Follow-up, Exercise Therapy, and Research [PDF, opens in new window].
            JNCI Cancer Spectrum (2021).
            Authors: Scott C Adams, Jennifer Herman, Iliana C Lega, Laura Mitchell, David Hodgson, Kim Edelstein, Lois B Travis, Catherine M Sabiston, Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan, and Abha A Gupta.
          17. Health-related social media use and preferences of adolescent and young adult cancer patients for virtual programming [opens in new window].
            Support Care Cancer (2020).
            Authors: Reenika Aggarwal, Katrina Hueniken, Lawson Eng, Shayan Kassirian, Ilana Geist, Karmugi Balaratnam, Mindy Liang, Chelsea B Paulo, Arielle Geist, Pryangka Rao, Laura Mitchell, Alexander Magony, Jennifer M Jones, Samir C Grover, M Catherine Brown, Jackie Bender, Wei Xu, Geoffrey Liu, and Abha A Gupta.
          18. Fertility Preservation in Young Adults: Prevalence, Correlates, and Relationship with Post-Traumatic Growth [opens in new window].
            Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (2020).
            Authors: Lauren C Daniel, Catherine M Sabiston, Morgan Pitock, Abha A Gupta, Karine Chalifour, Geoff Eaton, and Sheila N Garland.
          19. Age differences in patterns and confidence of using internet and social media for cancer-care among cancer survivors [opens in new window].
            Journal of Geriatric Oncology (2020).
            Authors: Lawson Eng, Jackie Bender, Katrina Hueniken, Shayan Kassirian, Laura Mitchell, Reenika Aggarwal, Chelsea Paulo, Elliot C Smith, Ilana Geist, Karmugi Balaratnam, Alexander Magony, Mindy Liang, Dongyang Yang, Jennifer M Jones, M Catherine Brown, Wei Xu, Samir C Grover, Shabbir MH Alibhai, Geoffrey Liu, and Abha A Gupta.
          20. Evaluation of an Educational Whiteboard Video to Introduce Fertility Preservation to Female Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer [opens in new window].
            JCO Oncology Practice (2020).
            Authors: Talia Greenspoon, Rebecca Charow, Janet Papadakos, Mahsa Samadi, Anne Marie Maloney, Chelsea Paulo, Victoria Forcina, Li Chen, Adrian Thavaratnam, Laura Mitchell, Armando Lorenzo, and Abha A Gupta.
          21. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Intervention for Young Adults with Cancer: A Pilot Mixed-Method Study [opens in new window].
            Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (2020).
            Authors: Rinat S Nissim, Amanda Roth, Abha A Gupta, and Mary Elliott.
          22. Crucial Conversations: Addressing informational needs of adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer [PDF, opens in new window].
            Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing (2018).
            Authors: Laura Mitchell, Seline Tam, and Abha A. Gupta
          23. Measuring the Impact of an Adolescent and Young Adult Program on Addressing Patient Care Needs [PDF, opens in new window].
            Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (2018).
            Authors: Laura Mitchell, Seline Tam, Jeremy Lewin, Amirrtha Srikanthan, Carol Heck, David Hodgson, Branavan Vakeesan, Hao-Wen Sim, and Abha A Gupta
          24. Perceptions and attitudes towards clinical trials in adolescent and young adults with cancer: a systematic review [PDF, opens in new window].
            Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics (2018).
            Authors: Victoria Forcina, Branavan Vakeesan, Chelsea Paulo, Laura Mitchell, Jennifer AH Bell, Seline Tam, Kate Wang, Abha A Gupta and Jeremy Lewinz
          25. Perceptions of and decision making about clinical trials in adolescent and young adults with Cancer: a qualitative analysis [PDF, opens in new window].
            BMC Cancer (2018).
            Authors: Jennifer AH Bell, Victoria Forcina, Laura Mitchell, Seline Tam, Kate Wang, Abha A Gupta and Jeremy Lewin
          26. Sexual health issues for the young adult with cancer: an international symposium held during the first global adolescents and young adults cancer congress (Edinburg, United Kingdom) [PDF, opens in new window].
            Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology (2018).
            Authors: Laura Mitchell, Jeremy Lewin, Julia Dirks, Kate Wang, Seline Tam, Anne Katz, Beth McCann, Kirk Lo, Valerie Laurence, Christine Rousset-Jablonski and Abha A Gupta
          27. Fertility preservation in post-pubescent female cancer patients: A practical guideline for clinicians [opens in new window].
            Molecular and Clinical Oncology (2018).
            Authors: Amirrtha Srikanthan, Eitan Amir, Philippe Bedard, Meredith Giuliani, David Hodgson, Stephanie Laframboise, Anca Prica, Karen Yee, Ellen Greenblatt, Jeremy Lewin and Abha A Gupta
          28. The positive effect of a dedicated adolescent and young adult fertility program on the rates of documentation of therapy associated infertility risk and fertility preservation options [PDF, opens in new window].
            Supportive Care in Cancer (2017).
            Authors: Jeremy Lewin, Justin Ming Zheng Ma, Laura Mitchell, Seline Tam, Natasha Puri, Derek Stephens, Amirrtha Srikanthan, Philippe Bedard, Albiruni Razak, Michael Crump, David Warr, Meredith Giuliani and Abha A Gupta
          29. Adolescents and young adults: addressing needs and optimizing care with a clinical nurse specialist [PDF, opens in new window].
            Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing (2017).
            Authors: Laura Mitchell, Terri Stuart-McEwan, Hayley Panet and Abha A Gupta
          30. Advanced practice nurses: improving access to fertility preservation for oncology patients [opens in new window].
            The Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal (2016).
            Authors: Eleanor Hendershot, Anne-Marie Maloney, Sandy Fawcett, Sharmy Sarvanantham, Eileen McMahon, Abha A Gupta and Laura Mitchell
          31. Improving access to standardized fertility preservation information for older adolescents and young adults with cancer: Using a user-centered approach with young adult patients, survivors, and partners to refine fertility knowledge transfer [opens in new window].
            Journal of Cancer Education (2016).
            Authors: Seline Tam, Natasha Puri, Derek Stephens, Laura Mitchell, Meredith Giuliani, Janet Papadakos, and Abha A Gupta
          32. Reimagining care for adolescent and young adult cancer programs: moving with the times [opens in new window].
            Cancer (2016).
            Authors: Abha A Gupta, Janet K Papadakos, Jennifer M Jones, Leila Amin, Eugene K Chang, Chana Korenblum, Daniel Santa Mina, Lianne McCabe, Laura Mitchell and Meredith Giuliani​


          Ending the summer with a day at the beach with our fellow AYA patients! Such a fun sunny day getting to know one another while being able to hang out by the water. Got a chance to play games, sit and watch the water and have a delicious lunch!


          Christy taught a wonderful AYA dance class focusing on finding joy in movement while working to improve memory, balance, strength and mobility. Was such a beautiful class for our AYA patients to follow along to Christy’s choreography!


          Starting off the summer with a pizza in the park for our patients at Sherwood Park! Patients had so much fun being able to mix and mingle and get to know others in the AYA community! Got a chance to play some lawn games, sit and enjoy the amazing weather, and have a delicious lunch!


          Hosted our 1st successful art therapy class with the help of our amazing instructor Jessika Welsh. It offered guided meditation and mindfulness teachings, through the instruction of using their creativity to make such beautiful pieces.


          Hosted our 2nd successful cooking class where patients got a chance to make some delicious Mexican food including: Aqua Fresca, a variety of tacos and sides! Was a great way for patients to meet others, while also learning tips and tricks in the kitchen!


          Had an amazing Valentine’s Day Card making contest, where they would design various valentines cards, and showcase their work onto our socials for a chance to win a special prize!


          Our AYA Skate Night was so much fun with patients getting a chance to skate with others and drink some hot chocolate, while listening to some wonderful music!


          This event gave an opportunity for patients to be a part of a holiday card making contest, where they would design various holiday cards, and showcase their work onto our socials for a chance to win a special prize!


          Hosted by the wonderful chef Geremy, patients got a chance to make some delicious Italian food including: mocktails, fresh pasta, caprese salad. Was a great way for patients to meet others, while also learning tips and tricks in the kitchen!


          A fall walk through High Park, a chance for patients to mingle with others and walk through the beautiful fall colors. Had the opportunity to have a little chat amongst one another, ending it off with a peaceful yoga/meditation session.


          An end of the summer kick-off at Sherwood Park, was an event for patients to meet each other and mingle. We worked with a variety of different organizations who set booth's up booths including: Wellspring Canada, ELLICSR Kitchen, and Nankind.

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          https://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/Education/Continuing_Education_Programs/Pages/continuing_education_programs.aspx
          Last reviewed: 9/10/2023
          Last modified: 9/14/2023 11:49 AM
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