Childhood cancer

Cancer, although a common problem in adults, is relatively rare in children. Only about 1 in 650 children under 15 years of age develops a cancer; about one-third of these are leukaemias. Approximately 1,700 children each year in the U.K. are affected. Of all cancers only 1 in 200 affects a child.

The proportion of children aged 0 - 15 years with cancer, who are treated by Group members has increased to some 90% of all children with cancer, and of these a high proportion are entered into clinical trials. Since 1977 when the CCLG was created there has been a progressive trend of increased survival for children treated in CCLG centres, showing particularly a benefit for children treated in CCLG Centres compared with those treated elsewhere. Studies of different tumour types and the multi-disciplinary nature of the CCLG have contributed greatly to the encouraging trends for children with cancer in the U.K.

Further information:

• Find out more about Children's Cancer
• A Parents Guide to Children's Cancer