Introduction: Beyond No Man’s Land: The Development of AYA Cancer Nursing

Recognition of adolescents as a distinct group in healthcare has been documented since the 1930s. Historically, there has been little attention to the specific needs of the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer population, and age-appropriate care and practice changes have been slow to occur. The AYA patient population has traditionally been treated with younger children or much older adults and was once described ‘at the edge of no man’s land’ [1]. However, attention and focus to AYA cancer has gained increasing momentum internationally, and alongside this, the experience and expertise of the nursing profession has grown significantly over time. AYA cancer care and AYA cancer nursing are now gaining recognition as a distinct subspeciality in the UK, across Europe and further afield internationally. In many countries, they are now being cared for by specialist teams who are experts in the delivery of AYA care, often within purpose-built environments [2].