About Us

The Canterbury AYA Cancer Service provides services to the upper South Island including Canterbury, South Canterbury, West Coast and Nelson/Marlborough districts.

The AYA cancer keyworker is based out of Christchurch hospital and works with all young people diagnosed and treated there. The AYA cancer keyworker liaises with health professionals with expertise in AYA cancer care located in Nelson, Wairau, Timaru and Greymouth hospital. They support the care provided to any young people diagnosed and receiving treatment in these areas.

All AYA patients with cancer throughout the region are discussed at the South Island Supra Regional Multidisciplinay meeting to ensure that their unique needs are being addressed.

How to make a referral to the AYA Cancer Service

Referrals should be made to the AYA Cancer Service when there is a high suspicion of cancer. Early involvement of this specialist service helps young people and their whānau to navigate services and ensures that important AYA-specific issues are addressed early, including fertility preservation and clinical trial enrolment.

We welcome referrals from young people and their whānau, general practitioners (GP), NGO providers and cancer services staff such as nurses, social workers, specialists and psychologists. Make your referral by contacting either the keyworker or clinical lead.