Navigating Lymphoma as a College Student

Lymphoma is one of the most common cancers to develop in adolescents and young adults (AYA) under the age of 25, meaning many AYA patients might receive a lymphoma diagnosis while in college. College can be a transformative, exciting, and often challenging time for many young adults, which can make receiving a lymphoma diagnosis during this time especially stressful.

For many, the uncertainty and emotional toll of the diagnosis are overwhelming. When combined with the pressures of academic responsibilities and the demands of navigating newfound independence, it can feel doubly daunting.  

In general, it is challenging to be a young adult without cancer. Once a diagnosis is made, it can be difficult to accept and can bring up unique concerns regarding body image and fertility issues, relationship matters, which must all be considered when building a treatment plan for AYAs. While receiving a cancer diagnosis as a college student may at times feel like too much to handle, there are many ways to navigate a lymphoma journey as an AYA. 

Unique Challenges as an AYA

Navigating cancer at a young age often raises unique concerns regarding matters such as self-image, relationships, sexual health, finances, and career goals. You should discuss any questions or concerns following your diagnosis with your doctor so they may prepare you for the changes to anticipate and discuss ways to manage them before, during, and after treatment. Your healthcare providers are here to support you in finding the best approach to your diagnosis. 

Wherever you are in your treatment plan, it’s important to ensure you have access to the necessary medical care while you’re in school, especially if college is away from home. This involves maintaining a copy of your medical records, understanding what insurance will cover, and finding medical care accessible from college that meets your needs. Be sure to make the necessary arrangements to ensure you get appropriate care while you attend school.  

Remember that you are an active partner in your own treatment plan. It’s important to maintain clear communication with your healthcare providers about any concerns you may have to create a personalized care plan fit for your needs and preferences.   

Knowing Your Limits and Advocating for Yourself: Managing Academic Work During Treatment 

As a college student, taking care of yourself during treatment can also mean being mindful of your personal academic limits. What you feel able to take on academically might look a little different when dealing with a lymphoma diagnosis. 

Maintaining a manageable courseload in college can help reduce the amount of stress placed on yourself during your journey with lymphoma. If you think attendance may be an issue, especially with frequent doctor visits or needing time to recover from treatment-related side effects, it’s okay to reduce your courseload to meet your needs. You know yourself best. Create your class schedule with your best interests in mind according to your needs and preferences during this time.  

It can be helpful to seek academic accommodations if you find that your diagnosis or treatment is affecting your ability to succeed in school. Communication with your school and professors is important to ensure you receive the necessary care and support along your lymphoma journey.

Consider reaching out to your school’s disability services office to discuss possible accommodation options or letting your professors know that you are undergoing cancer treatment and may need flexibility and understanding. Your school’s disability services office might be able to secure you accommodations to make balancing your courseload and your treatment plan easier, like a more flexible attendance policy, remote work options, extended time on tests or assignments, and more. It can be helpful to speak to your doctor before this to obtain a letter outlining how your diagnosis affects your ability to participate in college life. 

Depending on your unique situation, you may also decide to take time off from school as you undergo treatment. If that’s the case, you can work together with your care team, your school’s disability services office, and your academic advisors to plan for your time off and to build a road map toward returning once you feel able to ensure you can resume your studies as smoothly as possible. 

Seeking and Accepting Support

A lymphoma diagnosis can cause many difficult feelings to arise. Along with physical health, it’s equally important to remain conscious of the state of your mental health.  

College is a time when young adults often seek independence, so it can feel difficult to seek support. However, support systems can provide you with the strength to navigate difficult challenges throughout your journey. Here are some ways we recommend finding support: 

• Open up to friends and family about what you’re going through; let them know ways that they can support you, whether that’s through rides to treatment, help with errands or small tasks, or simply being a source of comfort and support that you can speak to 
• Consider reaching out to your school’s mental health services if you feel you’d find it helpful to speak to a mental health professional 
• Find support groups or other individuals also coping with cancer; communities like the Foundation’s peer support program, the Lymphoma Support Network, are a great way to get connected with fellow lymphoma patients like you 
• Try to maintain a normal social life – stay connected with friends and keep doing the hobbies or activities that you enjoy as best as you are able 

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