This World Cancer Day, we need more investment in vital childhood cancer research
Every day in the UK, 10 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer. On average, 2 of these will not survive. A single child dying of cancer is one too many. We are dedicated to funding research into the causes and treatment of childhood cancers not only to improve survival rates, but to also find kinder, more effective treatments with fewer toxic side effects.
In the 35 years since we were inaugurated, there has been huge progress in treatment of some cancers such as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), the most common type of childhood cancer. Today, thanks to sustained investment in research and improvements in treatments, in which Children with Cancer UK has had particular impact, survival rates for young patients with ALL is over 90% compared to 64% in 1990.*
While this is incredible news for children and young people diagnosed with ALL, the outlook sadly isn’t as positive across the wide spectrum of childhood cancers. For bone cancers such as osteosarcoma, survival rates sit at 65%** and brain and spinal tumours – the most common type after ALL – claim more lives than any other childhood cancer.
For World Cancer Day 2024 we want to highlight that while we have seen impressive breakthroughs in cancer treatment, there is still a huge need for more research for all cancers affecting children and young adults. Will you help us achieve this goal? Get involved and spread awareness of childhood cancer, and the urgent need for more research.
*Office of National Statistics (ONS) Childhood cancer survival in England: children diagnosed from 1990 to 2014 and followed up to 2015 and Cancer survival in England: adult, stage at diagnosis and childhood – patients followed up to 2018
** Statistics were provided by Cancer Research UK (September 2021)
