Survivorship and Living Well
80% of childhood cancer survivors experience long-term effects from their treatment.
What is survivorship?
Cancer survivorship encompasses the lifelong experience that begins at cancer diagnosis and extends through all subsequent life stages. It reflects the multifaceted physical, psychological, emotional, social, spiritual, educational, and financial consequences of cancer and its treatment for the person diagnosed, as well as for their family, friends, carers, and bereaved family members, who should be considered in planning and providing survivorship support.
Children and adolescents
Diagnosed with cancer in Australia every year
Australians
Under age 50 lives with a history of cancer diagnosed during childhood
Survivors
Experience at least one long-term health problem
Families
Report financial strain from direct medical expenses
Families
Experience significant employment disruptions
Survivors
As adults, are not in paid employment, globally
Survivorship and Living Well Impact Program
Strategies, care models and innovations that address the lifelong impacts of cancer and its treatment
The challenges of childhood cancer don't end when treatment stops. Survivors face complex, lifelong impacts across every aspect of their lives, including physical health, cognitive function, education, employment, relationships, and financial stability. Taking a holistic perspective on survivorship care and support is essential.
Through consultation with survivors and families alongside alignment with sector leaders and charity partners, our Survivorship and Living Well Impact Program aims to transform long-term care for childhood and adolescent cancer survivors, ensuring every child, young person, and their families have access to comprehensive support designed specifically for their journey from patient to thriving adult.
Our ambitious goals
- Develop and promote national best-practice frameworks for survivorship and supportive care in childhood and adolescent cancer.
- Develop, test and implement digital solutions, early interventions, and novel approaches to improve long-term quality of life and survivor and family experience.
- Develop supporting evidence for comprehensive policy and practice reform across the system.
Funding
Applications are currently closed for the Survivorship and Living Well Impact Program. Sign up to our mailing list for updates on when funding becomes available.
Survivorship initiatives
Led by those who know survivorship issues best - survivors and families.
Survivorship Consultation Report
Children's Cancer CoLab’s report on the critical gaps in long-term survivorship support and opportunities based on consultation with those who know these challenges best.
Survivorship Reference Group
Our Survivorship Reference Group advocates for improved survivorship care and guides the strategic direction and funding priorities for our Survivorship and Living Well Impact Program.
Survivorship Position Statement
Our Survivorship Reference Group has developed a position statement calling for survivorship to be a core part of every cancer care plan, roadmap and research agenda.
Survivorship and Living Well Roundtable
Our first Survivorship and Living Well Roundtable was held in May 2025 to gather real-world perspectives on this issue. The event was attended by childhood cancer survivors, families, advocates, researchers and clinicians.
Optimal Care Pathway for children with cancer
Cancer Australia in partnership with Children’s Cancer CoLab is developing the first national Optimal Care Pathway for children with cancer. The pathway will improve care and outcomes for children with cancer, support for families and carers, and address a critical gap in Australia’s cancer system.
Funded Projects
Apply for funding
We welcome applications from researchers and clinicians whose work aligns with our current priorities. All proposals are reviewed for scientific merit, clinical impact, strategic alignment, and real-world impact on patients, survivors, and families.
