Early-Onset Cancer Care: First Insights from the BRIDGE Program

In an interview with Targeted Oncology, W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, notes that in the early rollout of the BRIDGE Program for young patients with cancer at Ohio State, initial signals point to meaningful impact for both patients and clinicians.

Watch part 1, part 2, part 3, and part 4 of Dr Rathmell’s interview.

Since its launch, the program has emphasized coordinated, age-focused care for adolescents, young adults (AYA), and early-onset cancer populations—an approach that is already resonating with those involved. From the patient perspective, one of the most immediate benefits has been the recognition that their experience is distinct from those of older adults. According to Rathmell, patients report valuing a care model that explicitly acknowledges these differences. Enhanced coordination across specialties has also improved the care experience, helping patients navigate complex treatment pathways alongside life-stage–specific concerns such as fertility, family dynamics, and career disruption.

For clinicians and researchers, the program has created a unifying framework that brings visibility to work that was previously fragmented. Many providers had already been treating or studying early-onset cancers but lacked a cohesive structure or shared datasets to fully examine patterns across populations. BRIDGE is beginning to “bridge” this gap by fostering collaboration and enabling access to broader patient cohorts, which may ultimately support more robust research into disease biology, screening, and outcomes.

Rathmell emphasizes that this early phase is as much about building awareness and connectivity as it is about measurable end points. The program is helping to surface a previously underrecognized field of inquiry, engaging stakeholders across disciplines and encouraging new lines of investigation.

As BRIDGE continues to expand, its initial impact suggests strong potential to improve both the delivery of care and the scientific understanding of early-onset and AYA cancers, with benefits likely to grow as program infrastructure matures.

Read the full interview here.