AYA Cancer Research

Research plays a vital role in improving cancer care and outcomes for adolescents and young adults. Here you’ll find AYA Cancer incidence and survival reports, publications, presentations, and information about how the AYA Cancer Network can support researchers working in this field. 

AYA Cancer Incidence and Survival

An updated AYA Cancer Incidence & Survival Report, covering 2015 – 2024, will be available on this page following its upcoming release. 

AYA Reports and Presentations

Journal Publications

Many New Zealand clinicians and researchers are actively involved in AYA cancer research. Here we celebrate AYA research that has recently been published in New Zealand and international peer-reviewed journals. 

2025. Jason Gurney, Kirsten Ballantine, Annie Chiang, Anna Davies, Chris GCA Jackson, Jonathan Koea, James Stanley, Scott Macfarlane, Child and adolescent/young adult cancer incidence and survival for Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand, Cancer Epidemiology, Volume 97

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2021. Kim D, Moss R, Gooder C, Lee C, Watson H, Pettit T. 2021. Health professionals’ self-identified knowledge, barriers and educational needs regarding identification and management of adolescent and young adult cancer in New Zealand. The New Zealand Medical Journal.

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2019. Pettit T, Sue L, Waugh V, et al. 2019. An age stratified analysis of the access to care continuum across three tumor groups: are there delays for AYA? Journal of Adolescent Young Adult Oncology.

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2018. Ballantine K, Utley V, Watson H, Sullivan M, Spearing R. 2018. The burden of cancer in 25–29 year olds in New Zealand: a case for a wider adolescent and young adult age range? The New Zealand Medical Journal.

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2018. Watson H, Moss, R. 2018. Adolescent and young adults with cancer in New Zealand: Understudied and under-served. The New Zealand Medical Journal.

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2017. Ballantine K, Watson H, Macfarlane S, et al. 2017. Small Numbers, Big Challenges: Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Incidence and Survival in New Zealand. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.

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2013. Yallop K, McDowell H, Koziol-McLain J, et al. 2013. Self-reported psychosocial wellbeing of adolescent childhood cancer survivors. European Journal of Oncology Nursing.

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Research Collaboration and Support

AYA cancer research is essential for improving long-term outcomes for AYAs with cancer and reducing inequalities. The AYA Cancer Network is keen to promote cross-sector awareness of AYA cancer research. Greater collaboration encourages the cross-pollination of ideas and leads to better prioritisation and utilisation of scarce research resources. The Network is also mindful that rangatahi with cancer are a small population and we want to protect them from the burden of being contacted by multiple research teams in a short space of time.    

If you are interested in conducting research involving young people with cancer then please get in contact with us. We are keen to support research of all types and at all stages by:

  • Suggesting possible research questions
  • Providing feedback on your research proposal
  • Connecting you with other researchers who are interested in a similar area
  • Helping you recruit study participants through our existing contacts
  • Sharing your study findings and outputs with the AYA community

Cristal Salatas 

Research & Data Lead

cristal.salatas@adhb.govt.nz

Heidi Watson

The Clinical Leader is responsible for providing clinical leadership and national oversight of the network .

Heidi is a passionate and experienced health professional with a strong clinical, education and leadership background. Her enthusiasm for, and commitment to youth health has focused on improving the outcomes of youth with cancer and chronic health conditions. Previously, Heidi held the position of AYA Cancer Nurse Specialist for Auckland District Health Board. Alongside her AYA clinical leadership role she holds a youth health academic position at the University of Auckland.

Cristal Salatas

Cristal 2025

Cristal Salatas is the Research & Data Lead for the AYA Cancer Network. She is also a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland, specialising in Perinatal Sciences. Her research utilises Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyse the spatial, nutritional, environmental, and socioeconomic determinants of preterm birth risk across New Zealand. Cristal’s research bridges spatial epidemiology, GeoAI-driven risk modelling, and public health policy, ensuring that geospatial insights translate into actionable healthcare solutions.

Cristal has also conducted cancer research at her alma mater (University of Florida), where she developed a successful killing assay for glioblastoma multiforme. Now, she will build on that foundation by leading research and data efforts to support adolescents and young adults facing cancer across Aotearoa.