Childhood cancer is something most people think to be rare, yet it is the biggest medical cause of death in children aged 1 – 14 (Office of National statistics, 2014). There are around 4,200 children and young people diagnosed with childhood cancer every year in the UK. This is works out at almost 11 new cases a day.

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Around 1 in 500 children in the UK will develop cancer by the age of 14 years (CRUK)

• 1,800 cases a year

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Around 1 in 285 children and teenagers will develop cancer by the age of 20 years (American cancer Society, 2014)

• 2,400 cases a year (age 15 - 24)

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It is important for GPs be aware of the signs and symptoms to help early diagnosis, in turn this can save lives and reduce disability in survivors.

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There are now over 35,000 childhood cancer survivors now thought to be living in the UK.

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For oncological classification:

• child is defined as between 0 to 14 years

• a young person is defined as between 15 and 24 years

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The highest incidence of all children's cancers is in the under-fives (49%).

 

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