Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People

A photo of Holly. The Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People logo is on the top left side of the photo.

Holly was two when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Now, after taking part in one of our clinical trials, she’s doing well and starting year 6.

 

 

Different challenges. Same determination.

Cancer is different in children and young people, so it needs a different and dedicated approach. Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People is the part of Cancer Research UK dedicated to supporting research into cancers affecting 0-24-year-olds.

As the biggest charitable funder of research into children’s and young people’s cancers in the UK, we’re committed to driving forward progress. We support the very best scientists across the UK and around the world to discover new ways to diagnose and treat these cancers. And we partner with other charities, funders and families affected by cancer to have the biggest possible impact.

And it’s working. Step by step, day by day, our work means that more children and young people with cancer live better lives through more effective and less toxic treatments. 

 

 

Our progress

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We’ve been driving progress for more than 50 years 

Since the 1970s, our work has helped double children’s cancer survival in the UK. That means more than 32,000 children's and young people's lives have been saved, thanks in part to our work.*

Today, more than 9 in 10 children and young people who receive cancer drugs on the NHS receive a drug linked to our work. 

Learn more about our progress

*Estimated number of cancer deaths that have been avoided in children aged 0-14 and young people aged 15-24 if mortality rates had remained at their 1970s peak.

 

 

Get involved

 

 

A photo of Oliver smiling to the camera on holiday

Oliver took part in our FaR-RMS trial after being diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma - a cancer of the soft tissue - aged three. He’s now in remission and happy to be back at school.  

I never imagined something like cancer could happen to my little boy. It’s thanks to research that Oliver is here today.

Becci, Oliver’s mum

 

 

About children’s and young people’s cancers

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Children’s cancers 

We provide clear information about the different types of cancer that affect children, signs and symptoms and where to get support.

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Young people’s cancers 

We have information about the different types of cancer that affect teenagers and young adults, possible symptoms, clinical trials and coping with cancer.

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Cancer statistics 

There are around 1,900 children and 2,300 young people diagnosed with cancer each year in the UK. Today, more than 8 in 10 children and young people diagnosed with cancer today will survive for at least 10 years. 

 

 

Our children’s and young people’s cancer research

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We support the very best doctors and scientists from across the UK and around the world to unlock discoveries about children’s and young people’s cancers and translate these into new and better ways to diagnose and treat them. 

 

 

Latest news

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Discover the latest research news and stories relating to children's and young people's cancers.

 

Visit Cancer News