Senedd Elections 2026: Transforming care and support for children and young people with cancer in Wales

Every year in Wales, around 180 children and young people under the age of 25 are diagnosed with cancer. Despite significant medical advances over the years, cancer remains the leading disease-related cause of death for this age group. 

Children and young people with cancer have long been overlooked in the strategic approach to cancer in Wales.  It’s is the only UK nation without a long-term cancer strategy, in particular for children and young people, with  the current short-term Cancer Improvement Plan containing no specific actions for under 25s. Financial support for the cost of travelling to treatment for families in Wales is lacking, with the NHS Travel Costs scheme failing to support with the vast majority of travel costs, and no dedicated Travel Fund exists for children and young people with cancer. And a lack of data on the experiences of young cancer patients and their families in Wales means the challenges they face can be overlooked. 

The elections in May provide an opportunity for political parties in Wales to change this and transform the future of cancer care for children and young people and their families.  

That’s why we’re clear that the next Welsh Government should work with children and young people, the third sector and NHS to develop a long-term strategic approach to cancer care in Wales that includes dedicated actions for children and young people. 

With only one Principal Treatment Centre for children and young people with cancer in Wales, located in Cardiff, families are often travelling long distances to get to hospital. Almost 75% report getting some, or all, of their treatment in England. Our research shows that on average, they travel further than other UK nations to get to treatment at a whopping 400 miles every month which, unsurprisingly, comes at a higher monthly cost, at an average of £280.  

Across the UK, the picture is different. Some under 18s in Scotland are able to access Scottish Government’s Young Patient Family Fund to help with the cost of travel. And in England, following our campaigning, UK Government recently announced a dedicated Travel Fund to support all under 25s with cancer in England with the cost of travelling to treatment, open from 2027. These Funds are transformative to those who can access them, and if the next Welsh Government don’t follow suit, it’s families in Wales who will continue to pay the price. 

It’s clear that the next Welsh Government must introduce a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund to support children and young people with cancer with the cost of travelling to treatment. 

Anyone who has had a conversation with a child or young person with cancer, or their family, will probably come away with a story of a diagnosis experience that is far from ideal. It’s not unusual to hear that they visited healthcare services multiple times before diagnosis, or that their concerns were dismissed for being too young. An early diagnosis is important to ensure not only timely and effective treatment, but also to increase trust in the healthcare system. 

That’s why we call on the next Welsh Government to improve diagnosis experiences for children and young people with cancer, through supporting education and resourcing of frontline health care staff to spot and refer suspected cancer and promoting signs and symptoms awareness. 

And though support needs to start before diagnosis, it must also continue throughout treatment and beyond. The impacts of cancer are more than medical, and support must reflect this in a consistent and long-term way. 

The next Welsh Government should ensure children and young people with cancer and their families have access to comprehensive, holistic support during and beyond treatment. 

It’s clear that children and young people with cancer in Wales need more support, and they need it now. They need the next Welsh Government to lead the way with a strategy that addresses their unique needs and provide support for the financial costs that come with cancer, the most urgent of which should be creating a Young Cancer Patient Travel Fund. They must improve diagnosis experience for children and young people, and ensure comprehensive support is provided during and beyond treatment.  

Achieving this means working in partnership – with children and young people with cancer and their families, the NHS, and with charities like Young Lives vs Cancer. Together, we can transform the future of cancer care and support for children and young people with cancer in Wales.