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 (84%) of children with cancer are now cured, compared with fewer than 2 in 10 (less than 20%) in 1960s 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 40,000 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.