A cancer diagnosis can be life-changing at any age, but for adolescents and young adults, it often comes at a time filled with major milestones, personal growth, and big plans for the future.
Southlake Health’s Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program has been thoughtfully designed for AYA patients ages 18 to 43 years old. The program, in collaboration with Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and partially funded by the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO), provides care that goes beyond treatment, offering support tailored to the unique needs of young adults navigating cancer.
This Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week, Southlake is thrilled to introduce Nicole Boetto, a Physician Assistant (PA) and the newest member of the AYA Cancer Program team. In her role, Nicole will support patients through some of the most complex and personal aspects of their cancer care journey.
Introducing Nicole Boetto
Drawn to health education, equitable access to care, and patient-centred support, Nicole brings a strong clinical background to Southlake, having previously worked in the Emergency Departments at both SickKids and Sunnybrook. Before becoming a PA, she completed concurrent undergraduate degrees in science and education at the University of Toronto. These experiences have shaped her passion for helping patients understand and navigate their care.
Her background is a perfect fit for Southlake’s AYA Cancer Program.
“When I came across Southlake’s AYA Cancer Program and the work that Samantha Scime, Dr. Alisha Kassam, and the Southlake team have been doing to advocate for this patient population within our community, I wanted to learn more about the role and be a part of this team,” Nicole said. “It provides a holistic approach for oncology patients that considers not only physical health, but also the social, emotional, and environmental factors that shape an individual’s well-being.”
Delivering leading edge AYA cancer care, close to home
Young adults with cancer often face challenges that extend far beyond their diagnosis. They may be navigating school, careers, relationships, fertility concerns, body image, and future family planning, all while coping with a serious illness. Many also feel caught between paediatric and adult oncology settings, making specialized support especially important.
“It is easier for these patients to fall into gaps in the healthcare system because of their age range, which is why programs dedicated to patients in this demographic are so important,” Nicole said. “Supporting them means addressing not just the disease, but the impact it has on their life trajectory.”
In her role, Nicole helps patients navigate their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery with a whole-person approach. That includes creating space for conversations that may not always fit into traditional oncology appointments, from psychosocial health and sexual health to fertility, school, work, and body image concerns. She also helps connect patients to resources and acts as a liaison between patients and their oncology team, ensuring questions and concerns are heard and addressed.
“This position is unique because it provides the opportunity to build a connection with each patient outside of their other oncology appointments,” she says. “With the AYA Cancer Program, there is time to focus on other aspects of the patient’s health and oncology journey, taking a whole-patient approach to their care and well-being.”
For young adults facing cancer, that kind of tailored, compassionate support can make all the difference, helping them feel seen, understood, and supported at a time when life can feel anything but predictable.
Learn more about the AYA Cancer Program by reading more stories here.
