Difficult discussions: Helping young people with cancer to voice their choices

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Australian adolescents and young adults (AYAs) and currently there is no gold standard protocol to ensure that psychosocial needs are met. To fill this critical gap, our study aims to pilot and evaluate a new Australian version of the American advance care planning tool, Voicing my CHOiCES (VMC) with Australian AYAs with cancer. Participants will include AYAs aged 15-40 years currently receiving treatment for cancer, and a nominated support person. AYAs will attend a semi-structured interview at QCH to assess the Australian VMC for applicability to themselves, and completing 3 pages. One month post-interview, AYAs will attend another interview at QCH/via telephone to discuss their experience with the Australian VMC. They will also complete questionnaires online and via smart phone before the first interview, in the intervening time between interviews and after the second interview.