The PAR3TY Project: Revealing Unique Cancer Experiences and Insights of Teenagers and Young Adults through Patient Engagement, Participation, and Performance

Cancer in teenagers and young adults (TYAs) coincides with major life transitions and presents unique psychosocial challenges. Understanding the experiences and needs of TYAs is critical. TYAs want to play an active role in improving cancer for TYAs; however, few opportunities exist for TYAs to do so. Using a tri-partite methodology, an international team collaborated with four TYA co-researchers in this pilot study to explore how performative staging strategies help convey TYA experiences with cancer. Using creative video, TYA co-researchers shared cancer experiences and insights in novel, impactful ways. The process provided intrinsic benefits for co-researchers to connect with other TYAs and creatively share their experiences and perspectives. Furthermore, it provided space for dialogue between TYAs and cancer care allies where TYAs could convey the nuances of their cancer experiences and how cancer care could be improved. This tri-partite methodology can support TYAs to actively engage in a process of connection, reflection, creation, and dissemination to improve cancer experiences for TYAs.