I absolutely love that idea for empowering youth! 🙌🏽 #AYACSM

It definitely worked to see a reminder pop up! GREAT idea! #AYACSM

Ha! The fact many are living longer but there aren’t survivorship plans or resources for long-term survivors. #AYACSM

Should have clarified that I was referring to their breast cancer incidence rate in young women. #AYACSM

I couldn’t agree more! It will happen! #AYACSM

Thank you to everyone who joined in on the conversation. Your time, posts + comments are appreciated and important! We are looking for guest moderators for 2026! Mark your calendars! Please tune in Tuesday, February 3rd @ 8PM ET for our #globalcancerawarenessday #AYACSM chat! #AYACancerAwareness

Wow!!! How fantastic! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 I also don’t know much about their AYA cancer population. #AYACSM

Always special to meet and connect with colleagues. #AYACSM

Very true @warriormegsie.bsky.social. So maybe having a discussion about long term (10 years and beyond) survivorship is helpful. Oh, and welcome to the Double Digits of Survivorship Club! #AYACSM

A4: Well, as I process being 10 years NED, I realize that I have no idea what “normal” aging is like. Cancer rapidly ages the body. Having cancer as a kid or in your 20s or 30s, like…for some of us…we lose what’s supposed to happen naturally. #AYACSM

A4. - return to work/school (could address disability here) - how to become an AYA advocate - exercise and rehab (😉) #AYACSM

YWBCH Conference went very well. My presentations at the International Nursing Symposium and University presentation in the Himalayas were well received and appreciated. BCYW is a special AYA cancer concern in India. Their incidence rates are twice the global average. #AYACSM

Get out!!! How amazing is that?! #AYACSM

Q4: I drafted ideas of chats up until June and looked back at some of our previously well-attended conversations. But, what other topics are of interest to you to discuss in 2026? #AYACSM

A3: I also hope that the challenges of AYA cancer patients becomes part of the curriculum in medical schools. I think it would be great to have oncologists specialize in AYA cancer care. Plus, more therapists, psychiatrists and psychologists who are trained to support our community. #AYACSM

Thrilled with positive steps in 2025. Hoping for continued results this year :) #AYACSM

A3: I really want to re-build this community here again on this platform. It was always such a moment of joy in the month - when research/advocacy is otherwise isolating at times. Community is my word for 2026. #AYACSM

I dream big. #ayacsm

A3: Both professionally and personally, I’m seeing more AYA patients and survivors struggling with sexual health and body dysmorphia. #AYCSM

A3. - ⬆️’d access to clinical trials - ⬆️’d access to services for rural and others who are nowhere close to the cancer center they were treated at - integrating AYA education (as in, the who/what/why of AYAs) into social work and other health care education programs at the university level #ayacsm

Here’s one #AYACSM warriormegsie.com/2025/12/27/1...

#2 Journal manuscript in the works. CAPO participation. Ongoing national and international projects including advocacy pieces #AYACSM

Q3: In which areas do you think the #AYACSM movement (as a whole) should focus in 2026?

Let her know we’re all rooting for her! #AYACSM

Yup. 2 years ago I went & presented a poster on behalf of our breast center. Last year I went b/c I was the patient perspective on a panel. Wearing both hats ⬆️’s my ability to advocate for AYAs in different capacities…but sometimes I forget which hat I’m supposed to be wearing for an event #ayacsm

EXACTLY!!! I took 2 weeks of PTO during the holidays, and I actually wrote two blog posts and wrote just for fun. It was a magical feeling to have my creative juices flowing for a spell. #AYACSM

You bring up suuuuch a great point about attending #cancer conferences where you’re split b/t your personal experience but have to wear the professional hat - or in my case a fascinator! #AYACSM

A2: I’ll probably have a better timeframe for a few things in the works in a few months. I’m trying to make sure that my #advocacy cup doesn’t crash my #creative cup. I didn’t balance those very well last year. #AYACSM

The patients who have been discharged for missed appointments due to disability or medical issues project, and I will yes. #AYACSM

A2. Debating if I should go to #ASCO26 specifically as a patient advocate. I’ve kind of gone 2x already in that role, and @ascocancer.bsky.social has put together an AYA workgroup that I attended last year. Hard when I’m balancing both the personal and professional aspects of advocacy. #ayacsm

Why thank you kindly! I was glad to see more collaborations between industry and advocates last year and hope it continues this year. #AYACSM

Hi Megsie! Congrats on your poster! #ayacsm

Q2: Which #AYACSM advocacy plans do you have laid out for 2026 and do you need help promoting them?

A1: I'm launching/building DrakeLab.ca Slowly changing my personal website over to a lab one. I'm excited to keep working on all of the #AYACancer things! #AYACSM

So close! It is, also our pediatric/AYA cancer survivors commonly deal with disability, ongoing medical issues, and no show appointments. #AYACSM

PLUS, I’m still advocating for more resources and support for those of us who’ve aged out of AYA cancer BUT still young. Bridging that gap is important! #AYACSM

My advocacy priorities are finishing this degree (Spring '27!), and I'm starting a project regarding people who have been discharges as patients for 'no show' appointments due to disability or illness related issues. I've been finding people this is happening to. #AYACSM

A1: I presented a poster at #SABCS25 about the fear of recurrence or metastasis and the lack of info & support received by our providers who often ignore our symptoms & anxiety. Many resonated w/ it now that we’re surviving longer, BUT what happens after the 5yr, 10yr, 20yr mark? #AYACSM

A1: to make sure that fellow cancer survivors (and the general public as well) get credible, evidence based information amongst all the misinformation that’s out there. Oh, and travel more as well 😁 #ayacsm

I'm finding I get the notifications right away but it takes a few minutes for the hashtag feed to update #AYACSM

I’m Scott, I am now an AARP AYA (have since aged out of the 18-39 age bracket); was dx’d at 22 y/o w/ testicular cancer; now work as an oncology physiotherapist and AYA/rehab/survivorship advocate. #ayacsm

Heck yeah!!! I’m STILL processing hitting double-digits in survivorship. #AYACSM

Q1: As we usher in 2026 during an ever-changing sociocultural historical context, this is no doubt a challenging time for everyone – in different ways. Feel free to weigh in on this. Looking ahead, what are your advocacy priorities for 2026? #AYACSM

Lorna Larsen @teamshan.bsky.social

I'm a mom of a pediatric/adolescent cancer survivor, and now a public health student and advocate. #AYACSM

Howdy! I’m Megsie in Atlanta, GA. I’m a #breastcancer survivor who was dx under 40, #advocate, #writer and just dramatic personality. ALSO, I’m officially 10 years NED!!! #AYCSM

I have missed these chats! #AYACSM

YASSSS!!!! #AYACSM #SkyChat

Tonight, we will be having a new year's check-in! #AYACSM Let’s start off with introductions – What is your name? Where are you based? Why are you here? Tell us a bit about yourself! Post #AYACSM if you’re only here to listen.

We assume that all posts shared during #AYACSM express your own personal opinions and not those of your employer/organization (unless specified) – same for mine too! #AYACSM