https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732318800674 Qualitative Health Research 2019, Vol. 29(3) 404–417 © The Author(s) 2018 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/1049732318800674 journals.sagepub.com/home/qhr Research Article The National Cancer Institute (NCI; 2014a) considers a person a cancer survivor “from the time of diagnosis, through the balance of his or her life.” They argue that family members are “impacted by the survivorship experi- ence” as well. Young adult cancer survivors (YACSs; that is, those diagnosed between the ages of 18 years and 39 years; Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Progress Review Group [AYAOPRG], 2006) and their families face unique challenges along the cancer trajectory. However, little attention has been paid to how the cancer experience can transform the lives of both survivors and family in potentially positive ways, particularly regarding their per- spectives on overall health and wellness as they enter their posttreatment lives. This study explores how cancer survi- vorship in young adulthood can be a transformational health experience for both YACSs and their families. Literature Review Cancer in Young Adults Approximately 70,000 young adults in the United States are diagnosed with cancer annually (NCI, 2014b). Not only has cancer remained young adults’ leading cause of disease-related death (NCI, 2014b), but this population has also long demonstrated less improvement in survival rates than pediatric and older adult patients (Albritton, Barr, & Bleyer, 2009). The lack of change in YACS mor- tality rates and other negative disease-related outcomes led NCI to designate YACSs as a distinct group that expe- riences unique challenges during and following primary treatment (AYAOPRG, 2006). Some of these complica- tions include comparatively limited and restricted access to health care and insurance coverage, poorer representa- tion in clinical trials, lower awareness of prevention and early detection, and lengthier delays in diagnosis partially due to health-related invulnerability (AYAOPRG, 2006; 800674QHR XX X 10.1177/1049732318800674Qualitative Health ResearchHead and Iannarino research-article 2018 1 Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA 2 University of Michigan–Dearborn, Dearborn, Michigan, USA Corresponding Author: Katharine J. Head, Department of Communication Studies, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, 307C Cavanaugh Hall, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Email: headkj@iupui.edu “It Changed Our Outlook on How We Want to Live”: Cancer as a Transformative Health Experience for Young Adult Survivors and Their Family Members Katharine J. Head 1 and Nicholas T. Iannarino 2 Abstract Although young adult cancer survivors (YACSs) and their families face unique psychosocial and health-related challenges related to cancer, little is known about how the illness experience of cancer may positively transform their mental, physical, and social well-being following primary treatment. We conducted individual qualitative interviews with 30 YACSs and 21 of their family members. Participants described positive transformations as (a) perspective shifts on health and risk, (b) behavior changes toward more proactive healthy living, and (c) opportunities for more open communication about wellness. Few participants reported little to no transformation based on a fatalistic view of their diagnosis. Our findings illuminate important implications for health promotion and support in this population, including the role health care providers can play following primary treatment. We also discuss how YACSs can serve as important advocates for others and the need for more work exploring how and why positive illness transformations take place. Keywords young adult; illness transformation; qualitative interviews; family support; United States