National evaluation of meeting places for young people and young adults with cancer – organisation, implementation and reach

Grant received in 2026

DCCC has funded 199,122 DKK to the preparation of this national and multidisciplinary investigator-initiated study.

Young people and young adults with cancer (aged 15–39) have specific needs during and after undergoing cancer treatment. As part of ‘Kræftplan IV’, DKK 25 million was allocated to initiatives for young adults with cancer, including the establishment of meeting places. The meeting places constitute a complex supportive intervention integrated into the cancer care pathway, but there is currently limited knowledge about their organisation, implementation and reach.

The supported initiative will prepare the first national evaluation of the existing meeting places at Rigshospitalet, Aarhus University Hospital, Zealand University Hospital and Odense University Hospital. DCCC funding is crucial to establishing the national collaboration required to carry out the study.

DCCC funding will help ensure that the national investment made as part of  ‘Kræftplan IV’ is followed up by a systematic, research-based evaluation that can document experiences and generate new knowledge about how the meeting places can best be organised, implemented and further developed as a complex supportive intervention integrated into the cancer care pathway.

The funding will be used to establish a national collaboration, develop a joint study protocol, harmonise data sources and registration practices, and prepare an analysis plan, interview guides and study design.

The preparation phase will establish the methodological, organisational and collaborative foundations required to conduct a high-quality national multicentre study evaluating age-specific meeting places for young adults with cancer as a complex supportive intervention – and to establish a robust evidence base for the development, implementation and sustainable operation of these services.

Overall, the study is expected to provide an evidence-based foundation for clinicians, hospital management and decision-makers seeking to develop, implement or continue age-specific services for young people and young adults with cancer. The aim is for the study to contribute to a lasting strengthening of the field both nationally and internationally.

The study is research-based in the national DCCC-supported research network NAYAcareDK and FOKUS – Research and Knowledge Unit for Cancer and Young Adults’ Health at Rigshospitalet.

Central Denmark Region

• Marie Ernst Christensen, Dietitian, Researcher and Associate Professor, VIA University College and FOKUS – Research and Knowledge Unit for Cancer and Young Adults’ Health, Rigshospitalet
• Hanne Krogh Rose, Consultant, Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital
• Anne Wilhøft Kristensen, Clinical Nursing Specialist and PhD, Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital
• Marc Sampedro Pilegaard, Occupational Therapist and Senior Researcher, Clinical Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gødstrup Hospital
• Anette Borup, Nurse, Young Adult Coordinator and person responsible for Friumm1, Department of Haematology, Aarhus University Hospital

Region of Southern Denmark

• Line Bentsen, Doctor, Specialist Trainee in Clinical Oncology, Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital and FOKUS, Rigshospitalet
• Thomas Bech Mortensen, Chief Consultant, Department of Haematology X, Odense University Hospital
• Pia Krause Møller, Nurse, Clinical Researcher and Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital
• Mette Sabro Møller, Social Worker, Young Adult Coordinator and person responsible for Livskræften, Department of Haematology X, Odense University Hospital

Region Zealand

• Cecilie Holländer-Mieritz, Chief Consultant, Department of Oncology, Zealand University Hospital
• Lise Søndergaard, Consultant, Department of Oncology, Zealand University Hospital
• Elizabeth Rosted, Nurse and Professor, Research Unit for Oncology and Specialised Palliative Care, Zealand University Hospital
• Mette Buur Bergman, Nurse, Young Adult Coordinator and person responsible for Mod!Kræft, Department of Haematology, Zealand University Hospital

Capital Region of Denmark

• Helle Pappot, Consultant and Professor, Department of Oncology and FOKUS, Rigshospitalet, and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen
• Maria Aagesen, Physiotherapist, Postdoctoral Researcher and Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology and FOKUS, Rigshospitalet, and University of Southern Denmark
• Marietta Nygaard, Doctor, Department of Haematology, Rigshospitalet
• Kirsten Arntz Boisen, Doctor, Knowledge Centre for Youth Medicine, Rigshospitalet
• Lisa Hjalgrim, Chief Consultant, Department of Paediatric Oncology, Rigshospitalet
• Maiken Hjerming, Nurse, Young Adult Coordinator and person responsible for Kræftværket, Department of Haematology, Rigshospitalet

Danish Cancer Society

• Sofie Bak Wraae, Senior Consultant, Young Cancer, Danish Cancer Society

Young adults

• Mark Østergaard
• Laura Carstens
• Pernille Nord Skovgaard