The positive impact of one-to-one peer support on AYA cancer patients and survivors

One-to-onepeer support through a trained mentor program improves patient reportedoutcomes regarding overall mental health, distress on NCI scale, and hope forthe future in adolescent and young adult cancer patients and caregivers. Whenmatching patients and caregivers in this demographic with mentors who canconnect with life circumstances and age-related issues such as working duringtreatment, caring for young children, fertility preservation, relationshipstress, and financial toxicity, patients report greater positive impact onoutlook and mental health. Methods: When a support seeker contacts ourorganization, our cancer support coordinators complete a thorough intake callwhere they assess the caller's needs and current circumstances, as well as evaluatethe support seeker's current state of mental health. They are then matched with a trained andvetted mentor who has been through a similar evaluation. Through tracking visitlogs submitted by mentors as well as survey feedback from our support seekers,we can evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of the match. If thepatient's circumstances or prognosis change, supplemental matches or outsidereferrals can be made as necessary. The program is offered in a virtualcapacity and free of cost to the participants, so it eliminates barriers tocare for our target demographic and increases participation and positiveoutcomes. Results: Between January 2023 and July 2025, 119 AYA patients orcaregivers were matched with a mentor through Cancer Hope Network. Each matchhad at least 1 phone call visit, and 75% of them completed more than one visitwith a mentor. The survey feedback from this group demonstrates significantimprovement in outlook, distress levels, hope for the future, and feelings ofisolation. Among survey respondents, 77% reported decreased levels of distresson the NCI scale. The averageself-reported score on the scale before connecting with a mentor was 8. Theaverage post-connection score was 5 as self-reported by surveyrespondents. Several respondentsreported significant decreases in distress, by as many as 6 or 7 points on thescale. AYA support seekers report discussing relationships, work or school,parenting, mental health, fertility, isolation, and lack of support with theirmentors. Numerous respondents voiced thepositive impact of mentorship including one young woman diagnosed withmetastatic disease while pregnant with her third child who shared, “My mentorhas been so helpful in giving me HOPE that even with a “poor prognosis” I maystill be around to raise my kids. She has been so kind and supportive, and Ireally appreciate having the perspective of another young mom who has gonethrough the same thing and whose priorities mirror mine. Thank you for matchingme!” These findings underscore the value of accessible, empathetic peer supporttailored to AYA patients and caregivers' life circumstances and psychosocialneeds.