News & Updates

Dr Ed Cheeseman, Consultant Paediatric Pathologist and Chair of CCLG’s Biological Studies Steering Group, explains the difference between ‘normal’ cells and cancer cells, how the latter develop, and what they do to the body.

Valerie Tomlin is a children’s cancer nurse at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

This year, a new cancer statistics report for children, teenagers and young adults was published. This is the first report for almost a decade covering the whole of the UK and the first that covers both children’s and teenage and young adult cancers. With input from CCLG professional members, the report was shared at our Winter Meeting in February, and will help us to understand progress in the management of these cancers. Here are some key figures from the report:

Mr Robert Wheeler, Consultant Neonatal & Paediatric Surgeon at Southampton Children’s Hospital whose main interest is children’s cancer surgery, tells us how his passion for watercolour painting helps educate and inform families about procedures.

Leukaemia, lockdown and learning… Vicky Newman, whose daughter Alexandra has leukaemia, writes on how lockdown actually helped to reduce gaps in Alex’s education and the isolation she had felt previously when away from school.

Louise Robinson, Neuro-Oncology Outreach Nurse Specialist at East Midlands Children’s and Young Persons’ Integrated Cancer Service, tells us about educational support for young brain tumour patients.

Research project: Access to and experience of education for children and adolescents with cancer: a scoping review consultation exercise

Parents of children who have been diagnosed with cancer often have many questions surrounding schooling and education. Lucy Gwynne, Neuro-Oncology Lead Cancer Nurse Specialist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, explains more about what to expect.

Going back to school can be scary for both you and your child, but it’s important for their mental wellbeing. It helps them to feel ‘normal’ and lessens the isolation and loneliness which many children with cancer face. It gives structure to their day, a focus on the future and is where they can learn and develop social skills and make friends.