YOUTHCANCERFORCES
A nationally implemented solution fostering community among young people with cancer, with documented clinical evidence for improving users' quality of life
YouthCancerForces (UngeKræfter) has become the standard of care in Denmark for young people battling cancer, with a curated community, tailored knowledge and diary function, informing patients and their healthcare team
The challenge
Getting diagnosed with cancer is a huge shock and particularly challenging when you are young. These young people with cancer face significant social challenges, including isolation, feeling alone and lack of support. Despite their best-efforts, healthcare professionals and researchers often struggle to provide optimal care. These young people with cancer find comfort in fellow young cancer warriors, forming strong communities where they can share their experiences. But this trusted peer support has previously been hard to find.
The innovation
YouthCancerForces (Ungekræfter) is a digital application designed to help young people with cancer connect and build a supportive community. It features a diary function that has proven particularly beneficial for these individuals, an insights section that may help patients understand what they go through and facilitates informed discussions with their healthcare team, and a knowledge module that provides crucial information about being young with cancer, including personal stories from others who have faced similar challenges.
YouthCancerForces - an entire community of young people with cancer
“YouthCancerForces allows me to spend time with people who have the same thoughts and have been through the same experiences. It’s a place where I can relax and be myself.”
— A YOUTHCANCERFORCES CO-CREATOR
The outcome
“The solution has been a crucial tool in empowering patients to manage their disease, and through our clinical research we have been able to document the positive impact on patient’s quality of life.”
— HELLE PAPPOT, PROFESSOR IN ONCOLOGY, RIGSHOSPITALET
The solution is now implemented in all hospitals treating young people with cancer in Denmark, being the first digital health initiative to be implemented nationally. This was achieved after demonstrating positive outcomes in 10 scientific publications, where it has been concluded that the solutions improve the quality of life of patients and reduce clinicians’ time. The solution is used by a significant proportion of the patient segment. The next steps in scaling to international markets have been started.
10
400+
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
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PATIENTS SERVED
SCALING TO NEW MARKETS
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The impact of YouthCancerForces (Ungekræfter) has been investigated in clinical practice, resulting in 10 scientific publications. These studies provide important evidence of its positive impact on quality of life. Below are two of these publications.
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In Danish oncology departments, nurses play a crucial role in reaching young cancer patients, encouraging them to benefit from the app. When a trusted healthcare professional recommends the app, many young patients with cancer start using it. Within the first 2 months of the national implementation, 285 patients have embarked on their journey with YouthCancerForces, accounting for 20% of all patients in the segment.
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Following our nationwide implementation in Denmark, we are now eager to expand into international markets. If you are involved in a patient organization, conducting research among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer, or working in pharma, you might be the enabling partner we need. Together, we can bring this valuable tool to more young people battling cancer.