About us
Welcome to the teenage and young adults (TYA) cancer service. We look after people aged from 13 to their 25th birthday, with a wide range of cancers and some non-cancerous conditions. In these pages, we hope to provide you with some useful information so you know what to expect on your treatment journey with the team at UCLH.
Our approach
We understand that when the possibility of cancer has been raised it is a difficult time for both that person and their loved ones. We aim to see people rapidly and efficiently perform the necessary tests to establish what the problem is, so we can form the best treatment plan for each individual. At each stage we will explain the plan and why we need to do a particular test. We will try to answer your questions as fully as possible when you meet our team, and you will find lots of useful information here, and in written information, the team will give you.
Once we have completed the initial testing and a treatment plan has been formed we offer excellent facilities to provide the latest treatments for a wide range of conditions. At each point, we want to make sure that you are at the heart of decisions being made and you have all the information you need.
Staff who will be looking after you
You will be cared for by a team of healthcare professionals specialising in helping young people like you through their cancer treatment. You will hear us call this team the multidisciplinary team (MDT) because it includes experts in different areas of medicine, such as doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists.
Your first point of contact will be your key worker. This usually is a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) trained and experienced in treating young people with your type of cancer. Your key worker will also coordinate your care and support you and your family at every step of the way.
If you’d like to find out more about the role of the CNS, download a copy of our leaflet ‘What to expect from your CNS’.
Click here to find out about other people who you will see during your care or treatments.
Patient contact
Other contact information
GP enquiries:
- Oncology: 020 3447 1862
- Haematology: 020 3447 1856
Inpatients:
University College Hospital (the Tower), 235 Euston Road, London NW1 2BU
- Ward T12 North (for ages 13 to 19) Tel: 020 3447 1202 and 020 3447 1216
- Ward T13 North (for patients 20 and older with cancer) Tel: 020 3447 1302
Grafton Way Building, 1 Grafton Way, London WC1E 6AS
- Ward GWB3 North (for patients 20 and older with blood conditions) Tel: 020 3456 8149
Outpatients:
Teenage and Young Adult Specialist Unit, University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, London WC1E 6AG
Tel: 020 3447 1837
TYA MDT coordinator
Tel: 07958 251272, 020 3447 1889
Email: ucl-tr.tyamdt@nhs.net
Young Lives vs Cancer
Tel: 020 3447 9952
Email: uclhteam@younglivesvscancer.org.uk
Address
Children and young people's cancer services
University College Hospital
Approximately 2500 13-24 year olds will be diagnosed with a cancer in the UK yearly. This represents approximately 1% of total cancer diagnosis. Although rare, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of cancer in Children and Young People. Helpful information is found in the CCLG Referral Guidance.
Clinical referral
Adolescents (13-19 years old) – Haematology and Oncology (except sarcoma of a limb)
For a non-urgent referral for an adolescent with a confirmed or highly suspicious cancer please contact uclh.cypcsadmin.team@nhs.net. Please note we will endeavour to reply to your email within one working day. Until you receive acknowledgement of your email, please do not assume that the referral has been received and actioned.
To discuss the progress of a non-urgent referral, please call the children and young people’s cancer services administration team on 020 3047 1862.
For urgent referrals please contact UCLH switchboard on 020 3456 7890 and ask for the paediatric haematology or oncology SpR. They can also be reached by calling 07779981061 (paediatric haematology) or 07779982029 (paediatric oncology).
Young adults (20-24 years old) – Haematology and Oncology (except sarcoma of a limb)
Young adults are treated under the adult cancer teams. Find out more information on how to refer to respective clinical teams.
Sarcoma of a limb (all ages)
Referrals should be sent via the London Sarcoma Service.
28-day Faster Diagnosis Service (formerly 2-week wait)
This service is for referring patients with a suspected cancer and subject to local pathways. Find the appropriate service. Please note, the TYA Cancer service at UCLH does not accept referrals under the 28-day Faster Diagnosis Service.
TYA MDT
Every young person (13-24 years old) with a new cancer diagnosis must be discussed at the TYA Psycho-Social MDT. This is an opportunity to get access to developmentally appropriate support whilst a young person is having cancer treatment, and beyond. Discussion of a patient at the MDT is compulsory, regardless of place of care or psycho-social needs.
To add a patient onto the MDT you will be required to have an account for the IAM portal and be registered. You can request this by contacting digital.
Once you have access you can register a patient, which will automatically add them to the next TYA MDT. This is every Wednesday at 3pm and happens virtually. Contact ucl-tr.
Videos on how to navigate the IAMs system can be found at an introduction to IAMs, the IAM website and adding/editing patient information.
- Adolescent Critical Care Unit ACCU
- End of treatment: Information for teenagers with Hodgkin lymphoma
- Nurse-led transition clinic: Helping you to move from children’s or adolescent care to adult services
- Sperm banking - Information for teenagers and young adults with a cancer diagnosis
- Teenage and Young Adult Ambulatory Care Service
- The Psych-Oncology Team: Supporting the emotional wellbeing of children, young people and families accessing Cancer Services
- Welcome to the Teenage and Young Adult Service
- Your pathway coordinator (Teenage and Young Adult Service)
