Childhood cancer: the survivors
Childhood cancer survival rates are thankfully improving overall, but more in some areas than in others. Researchers and doctors have worked so hard to achieve this progress however, and we must not forget that.
However, we are also trying to explain where improvements still need to still be made.
When a child is diagnosed, parents cling to the survival rates. Understandably, every parent (including myself) is desperate that their child would be in the 82% that are still alive at 5 years.
These children are the successes quoted by consultants and charities and give hope to others. But what does this really this really mean?
We touched on this in one of our earlier blogs. It means simply that the child is still alive five years after they are diagnosed. They may be doing well or sadly not so well, but they are still quoted in success rates.
So what happens after the magic 5 years?
Lets have a look at some of the information about what happens to the children that are the success stories. Remember, this is average survival data across all cancer types (from 99% 5 year survival for retinoblastoma to 0% for DIPG brain tumours).
Below is a graph looking at survival rates, as you can see there are a number of children that are alive at 5 years that do not make it to the 10 years post diagnosis.
Average 10 year survival is 76%,. This means that for every 100 children diagnosed with cancer, 24 will not make it past 10 years.
(Statistics taken from CRUK)
Or looked at in another way below - a snapshot of where children are at 10 years after diagnosis.
What about 30 years after diagnosis?
This may sound a long time, but bear in mind that these individuals will still only be between 30 and 44 years of age at this point. Effectively, this is when their peers are pursuing careers, getting married and having families.
If you take 100 children diagnosed with cancer and look at them 30 years after diagnosis. By this point:
- 34 sadly have died
- 44 have long term health problems of varying degrees
- 22 are alive with few or no chronic health problems.
A worrying statistic, and so very different to the 82% 5 year survival rates that are quoted so freely.
Some of the problems that childhood cancer survivors may face in later life
Here are some of the more common problems that childhood cancer survivors may face:
- thyroid dysfunction
- heart problems including cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle)
- metabolic syndromes
- psychological problems - depression or post traumatic stress.
- fertility problems
- bone problems
- graft versus host disease following transplants
- Increased risk of secondary cancers
What can we do to help?
1) Fund research and drug development (this is why we are fundraising) and
push for changes to legislation to make trialling drugs in children easier and more
attractive to drugs companies.
2) Improved awareness of the signs and symptoms. Earlier diagnosis will save
lives.
3) Provide information and guidance for GPs and other professionals on the health needs
of childhood cancer survivors and how best to help them. This is guidance we soon
will be releasing in partnership with the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia group.
Please know the signs and symptoms.
To find out more about the Grace Kelly Ladybird Trust, donate or order our awareness cards see www.gracekellyladybird.co.uk
