Childhood Cancer Statistics

– Important Facts

 

Each year, the parents of approximately 15,700 kids will hear the words “your child has cancer.” Across all ages, ethnic groups and socio-economics, this disease remains the number one cause of death by disease in children.

 

Despite major advances – from an overall survival rate of 10 percent just fifty years ago to nearly 90 percent today, for many rare cancers, the survival rate is much lower.

 

Furthermore, the number of diagnosed cases annually has not declined in nearly 20 years.

 

Every day, 43 children are diagnosed with cancer.

 

12% of children diagnosed with cancer do not survive.

 

Children’s cancer affects all ethnic, gender and socio-economic groups.

 

The average age of children diagnosed is six.

 

More than 40,000 children undergo treatment for cancer each year.

 

60% of children who survive cancer suffer late-effects, such as infertility, heart failure and secondary cancer