Survival rates
More children than ever before are surviving cancer. There have been huge improvements in cancer treatment for children in the past 50 years.
Over 8 in 10 (82%) of children with cancer are now cured, compared with fewer than 3 in 10 (less than 30%) between 1962–1971 but some cancer groups and cancer types have much lower survival. Research is continuing to improve treatments and reduce side effects.
To compare the results of treatments, doctors often use five or 10-year survival rates. It is estimated that there are at least 35,000 people in the UK alive having been diagnosed with a childhood cancer and survived more than five years.
Every child is different and the doctors will discuss your child’s illness and the likely success of treatment with you.
This information was written by the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG)