Advance care planning for adolescents and young adults with cancer: a retrospective case note audit from a regional specialist center in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

The extent of Advance Care Planning (ACP) among Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) cancer patients is not well characterized. This retrospective case note audit scrutinized the records of all AYA patients (aged 16-25 years) known to a regional specialist center in the United Kingdom, and who died between 2013 and 2019, for evidence of ACP. Eighty-four patients were included. ACP was identified for 67% of patients. Sixty-four percent expressed a preferred place of death; actual place of death reflected this in 65% of cases. Creation of a bespoke document may help to standardize ACP and improve end-of-life care.