Surviving Childhood Cancer: A New Focus on Quality of Life and Less Toxic Therapies
Survival rates for childhood cancer have seen remarkable improvements, with approximately 80% of children diagnosed now expected to survive. However, this success comes with a significant challenge: four out of five survivors experience at least one long-term health issue resulting from treatments. This stark reality is prompting a growing focus on the quality of life for these individuals, alongside urgent calls for increased research into less toxic therapies and greater support systems.
Approximately 80% of children diagnosed with cancer are now expected to survive. However, four out of five survivors experience at least one long-term health issue, prompting a greater focus on quality of life and less toxic therapies.
The Hidden Cost of Survival: Long-Term Impacts
Childhood cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, are vital for saving lives but can inadvertently damage healthy cells in developing bodies. This often leads to a range of chronic health problems that can manifest years after treatment concludes. These can include physical scars, memory recall challenges, hearing loss, early menopause, infertility, chronic gut conditions, and cardiomyopathy.
These treatments, received during critical developmental periods, can significantly impact children's long-term health, as noted by Maria McCarthy of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute. Paediatric radiation oncologist Greg Wheeler adds that while children may appear to cope better with intensive chemotherapy than adults, survivors should remain aware of their individual risk profiles for potential long-term issues.
Individual Stories Highlight the Lasting Effects:
- Alec, a 17-year-old Year 12 student and school vice-captain, was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma at eight. While cancer-free, he endures physical scarring from multiple surgeries and difficulties with memory recall. This necessitates additional processing time for information and impacts his academic performance, requiring school and NESA accommodations. His father, Peter, shares Alec's concern about the possibility of cancer recurrence.
- Maya Oldroyd faced stage 4 neuroblastoma at age three. Declared cancer-free at four, she developed lifelong issues including hearing loss, early menopause, infertility, and a chronic gut condition.
- Angus Hollington was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at age 11. His journey involved developing secondary acute myeloid leukaemia, a leg amputation, and experiencing cardiomyopathy and infertility due to his intensive treatment.
Beyond the visible physical health challenges, families affected by childhood cancer often contend with 'invisible impacts.' These can include significant medical trauma, financial distress, social isolation, and persistent mental health challenges.
Advocating for a Better Future: Support and Research
There is a growing consensus among organizations and individuals that the focus must shift from solely ensuring survival to also guaranteeing a good quality of life for childhood cancer survivors.
"Existing treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are horrible, with severe immediate and lasting side effects that diminish a child's quality of life." – Peter, Alec's father.
Over 20 Australian health and research organizations, spearheaded by the non-profit Children's Cancer CoLab, are advocating for greater awareness, effort, and investment in supporting childhood cancer survivors. Angus Hollington, a survivor himself, has specifically called for the development of better, less toxic treatments. He also emphasizes the need for improved support for navigating adult hospitals and assistance for survivors returning to school and work, highlighting the critical importance of consulting individuals with lived experience when determining health service delivery and research priorities.
Alec and his father, Peter, are actively participating in The Kids' Cancer Project's K'day and International Childhood Cancer Day on February 15. This initiative aims to raise $400,000 for childhood cancer research, with all donations doubled on the specified day. Both Alec and Peter passionately stress the urgent need for developing new, less harmful cancer treatments. Peter described existing treatments as "horrible," citing severe immediate and lasting side effects that diminish a child's quality of life. Alec expressed profound hope that medical advancements will spare future generations from undergoing similar arduous treatment paths.
Childhood Cancer in Australia: A Snapshot
Approximately 750 children aged 14 years and younger are diagnosed with cancer in Australia each year. While significant improvements in survival rates have been achieved, there remains a concerning delay in making new cancer drugs approved for adult use available for children. This lag is primarily due to additional stringent safety testing requirements for paediatric applications.