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The research findings support previously documented evidence that indicate gaps in cancer services provided to this age group. Importantly, these gaps can be narrowed by improving access to adolescent multidisciplinary teams and introducing specific training for health care professionals.

This research had its beginnings in an act of trans activism, including a campaign by a number of trans organizations advocating the need for research dealing with health, well-being and access to health services in relation to this population. This study set out to recruit the broadest possible community sample by using a range of recruitment techniques and an online survey. In total, 253 respondents completed the survey. Of these, 229 were from Australia (90.5%) and 24 (9.5%) were from New Zealand. Respondents rated their health on a five-point scale; the majority of the sample rated their health as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. On the SF36 scale, respondents had poorer health ratings than the general population in Australia and New Zealand. Respondents reported rates of depression much higher than those found in the general Australian population, with assigned males being twice as likely to experience depression as assigned females. Respondents who had experienced greater discrimination were more likely to report being currently depressed. Respondents were asked about their best and worst experiences with a health practitioner or health service in relation to being trans. They contrasted encounters where they felt accepted and supported by their practitioners with others where they were met with hostility.

Developmental goals of adolescence include attaining confidence in independent decision making and a positive image of the self, others and surrounding world. A diagnosis of cancer during adolescence has the potential to impact on successful achievement of these goals. This study examined the 'adolescent cancer experience' from the perspective of young people. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 young people (16-22 years old) who had been diagnosed with cancer during adolescence. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed two latent themes: loss of control and benefit finding. Adolescents reported that feelings of loss of control resulted in a sense of frustration, feelings of inadequacy and anger, and non-compliance with treatment. Perceived benefits of cancer experiences included improved personal attributes, strengthened relationships and material gains. These themes have not previously been well described in this population. The findings underline the need for effective communication, ongoing psychological support and service flexibility when providing care for adolescents with cancer.

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Objectives: To describe the location of treatment, recruitment to clinical trials and outcomes for adolescents and young adults treated for cancer in Victoria. Design and setting: Retrospective review of all adolescents and young adults aged 10–24 years diagnosed with cancer between 1992 and 1996, identified from the Victorian Cancer Registry. Main outcome measures: Treatment regimen (clinical trial, treatment protocol or neither), compliance with treatment and 5‐year survival. Results: Questionnaires were completed for 576 of 665 eligible adolescents and young adults (87% response rate). Recruitment into clinical trials decreased with increasing age. Adolescents aged 10–19 years were more likely to be recruited to a clinical trial if treated at a paediatric hospital. For all cancers, 5‐year survival was similar across the age groups and was not influenced by the place of treatment. Only 1% of adolescents and young adults failed to complete planned therapy due to non‐compliance. Conclusions: Despite a similar incidence of cancer to that in younger children, adolescents and young adults with cancer are poorly recruited into clinical trials in Victoria. Establishment of a cancer resource network in Victoria may provide information to both paediatric and adult oncologists about currently available clinical trials.

BackgroundLesbians and gay men have disproportionately high rates of depression and anxiety, and report lower satisfaction with treatments. In part, this may be because many health care options marginalize them by assuming heterosexuality, or misunderstand and fail to respond to the challenges specifically faced by these groups. E-therapies have particular potential to respond to the mental health needs of lesbians and gay men, but there is little research to determine whether they do so, or how they might be improved.ObjectiveWe sought to examine the applicability of existing mental health e-therapies for lesbians and gay men.MethodsWe reviewed 24 Web- and mobile phone-based e-therapies and assessed their performance in eight key areas, including the use of inclusive language and content and whether they addressed mental health stressors for lesbians and gay men, such as experiences of stigma related to their sexual orientation, coming out, and relationship issues that are specific to lesbians and gay men.ResultsWe found that e-therapies seldom addressed these stressors. Furthermore, 58% (14/24) of therapies contained instances that assumed or suggested the user was heterosexual, with instances especially prevalent among better-evidenced programs.ConclusionsOur findings, and a detailed review protocol presented in this article, may be used as guides for the future development of mental health e-therapies to better accommodate the needs of lesbians and gay men.

BackgroundE-therapies for depression and anxiety rarely account for lesbian and gay users. This is despite lesbians and gay men being at heightened risk of mood disorders and likely to benefit from having access to tailored self-help resources.ObjectiveWe sought to determine how e-therapies for depression and anxiety could be improved to address the therapeutic needs of lesbians and gay men.MethodsWe conducted eight focus groups with lesbians and gay men aged 18 years and older. Focus groups were presented with key modules from the popular e-therapy “MoodGYM”. They were asked to evaluate the inclusiveness and relevance of these modules for lesbians and gay men and to think about ways that e-therapies in general could be modified. The focus groups were analyzed qualitatively using a thematic analysis approach to identify major themes.ResultsThe focus groups indicated that some but not all aspects of MoodGYM were suitable, and suggested ways of improving e-therapies for lesbian and gay users. Suggestions included avoiding language or examples that assumed or implied users were heterosexual, improving inclusiveness by representing non-heterosexual relationships, providing referrals to specialized support services and addressing stigma-related stress, such as “coming out” and experiences of discrimination and harassment. Focus group participants suggested that dedicated e-therapies for lesbians and gay men should be developed or general e-therapies be made more inclusive by using adaptive logic to deliver content appropriate for a user’s sexual identity.ConclusionsFindings from this study offer in-depth guidance for developing e-therapies that more effectively address mental health problems among lesbians and gay men.