Do you have a genetic predisposition for developing certain cancers? The Division of Cancer Predisposition wants to help you make a smooth transition from pediatric to adult care providers.
Planning and preparing for this change should begin at least 2 to 4 years before moving to an adult health care provider. For children and adolescents, parents/caregivers make most health care decisions. An adult health care model allows young adults to make their own health care decisions. At 18 years of age, most young adults in our program will move to an adult health care provider. Prior to this transition, we will provide our patients and their parents/caregivers with support and guidance to help prepare for this important change.
Some young adults have conditions that limit them from making health care decisions on their own. For these patients our team will provide parents/caregivers with options for how to support their children’s decision-making. Young adults who are unable to consent for their own health care or make their own decisions will need a legal document describing their decision-making limits and who can give consent on their behalf.
Our Division’s aim is to prepare each young adult to successfully transition to an adult health care provider. During this time, we will:
One of our genetics providers will meet with the patient and legal guardian before the patient’s transition. The provider will review the patient’s cancer predisposition condition and discuss recurrence risks. This can inform decisions about having children in the future. We will also work with patients to find community and financial resources, and adult health care providers.
In our transition approach, we emphasize protecting patient privacy, promoting self-advocacy, and fostering trust. We do this whether the patient is being cared for at St. Jude or other institutions.
The following are a list of resources and websites available to help you and your family during the transition process.
Includes information on being a healthy adult, how to advocate for your health and health care, how to choose an adult provider, and other topics related to transition and readiness.
Includes information on how to access insurance information by state.
Includes link to each state’s advance directive information.
A team of doctors, nurses and genetic counselors who work together with families to find out if a child’s cancer might be inherited.
Offers help with various issues including links to community resources, information in guardianship, conservatorship, and advance directives.
We care about the health and independence of our patients. As always, we are here to help if you have questions or concerns. Please feel free to contact us at 901-595-0335.