Childhood Cancer has Lifetime Impact

Today’s children with cancer have a better chance of survival (7 out of 10 survive). But, due to their aggressive treatment, many face significant problems which stay with them throughout their lives, says CLIC Sargent, the children’s cancer charity.  To mark International Childhood Cancer Day, today (Thursday 15 February 2007), CLIC Sargent is pledging to support more young survivors on their difficult journey.  

Dr Carole Easton, CLIC Sargent’s Chief Executive, says: "In the past, there have been very few resources available to survivors.  Children and young people with cancer go through a difficult medical journey, often having to cope with highly toxic treatment regimes that can last for a number of years.  This treatment can have significant medical side effects. In addition to on-going health problems, many survivors will have missed significant stages in their educational and social development.  They find re-integrating back into ‘normal’ life difficult often being left feeling very isolated and alone.”  

Today, CLIC Sargent is announcing a new major research initiative to support survivors.  CLIC Sargent’s research arm, the Child Cancer Foundation, is working in collaboration with the British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, led by Dr Mike Hawkins at the University of Birmingham.  They will to compare education and career patterns among over 10,000 survivors with patterns in the general population to understand the full impact of childhood cancer on young people’s education and career prospects.  This research will inform the development of services and highlight priorities for change.

CLIC Sargent already supports a childhood cancer survivors group, enabling them to share their experiences and draw support from others who have also been on a difficult cancer journey. The group was led, until recently, by Sophie Broere, a childhood cancer survivor, who has since been appointed a trustee of CLIC Sargent.

Sophie says: “I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when I was 17. My treatment lasted 9 months, and I received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I tried to start a degree in Social Sciences but after two months, I had to give up, as it was too hard to concentrate on my studies while being on treatment. I found speaking to other survivors about my experience was a real help. It took quite a few years to deal with some of the emotions resulting from my experience and it was an enormous relief to get it all behind me.

“With the support from CLIC Sargent, we have now set up a childhood cancer survivors group in the UK, to help people work things through.  I am also currently editing a book of childhood cancer survivors’ stories, which will be launched in spring 2007.  I was delighted and honoured to become a Trustee for the charity. I hope to be an advocate for both children and adolescents on treatment, and those dealing with the trials and tribulations of survivorship.”

Interviews with survivors of childhood cancer can be arranged on request, contact Zoe Grumbridge, Assistant Press Officer, CLIC Sargent, on 020 8752 2833 for more information.
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