Survivorship and Living Well
80% of childhood cancer survivors experience long-term effects from their treatment.
Surviving cancer is not enough
More children and adolescents are surviving cancer than ever before. This is a major health success. But for many survivors and families, cancer and its treatment can have lifelong health, emotional, social and practical impacts.
Australia has dedicated clinicians, services, researchers and community organisations working to support survivors. The challenge now is to connect that expertise, strengthen the evidence, and turn what we learn into care thatis consistent, equitable and sustainable.
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
The challenge
Life after treatment is different for every survivor
Survivorship begins at diagnosis and continues through every stage of life.
Some survivors may need lifelong monitoring for late effects of cancer or treatment. Others may need support to navigate transitions between paediatric and adult health services, manage emotional wellbeing, continue education or work, or coordinate care across multiple providers.
No two experiences are the same. That is why survivorship care must be informed by a survivor’s diagnosis, treatment history, individual risks and changing needs over time.
The evidence gap
Australia has no single blueprint for lifelong survivorship care
Important survivorship work is already happening in hospitals, health services, research institutions and community organisations across Australia. However, the available support is not consistent across locations, services or life stages.
Australia does not yet have a comprehensive national approach to support lifelong, risk-based follow-up for childhood and adolescent cancer survivors.
International guidance helps clinicians understand potential health risks after cancer treatment. But it does not, by itself, an important question - which models of care work best for different survivors and families in Australia?
The opportunity
Research can turn lived experience into lasting change
A coordinated research agenda can help Australia move from fragmented pathways to evidence-informed survivorship care that is fairer, more connected and built to last.
Research that:
• Develops and strengthens national best-practice approaches to survivorship and supportive care for children, adolescents and young adults with cancer.
• Tests and implements early interventions, digital tools and new approaches that improve long-term quality of life and the experience of survivors and families.
• Builds the evidence needed to guide policy, service planning and practical improvements across the health system.
Our focus
Building the evidence for better life after cancer
Children’s Cancer CoLab is working with survivors, families, clinicians, researchers and sector partners to strengthen childhood and adolescent cancer survivorship research in Australia.
Our focus is on generating practical evidence that can improve lifelong follow-up, supportive care and quality of life.
This work builds on CoLab’s existing survivorship initiatives, including survivor and family consultation, the Survivorship Reference Group, the National Landscape and Economic Assessment, and Cancer Australia’s development of the first national Optimal Care Pathway for Children with Cancer.
Survivorship Position Statement
A united sector call for survivorship to be a core part of every cancer care plan, roadmap and research agenda
Survivorship initiatives
Led by those who know survivorship issues best - survivors and families.
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.
National Landscape and Economic Assessment
Children's Cancer CoLab is commissioning a landscape and economic assessment to examine current supportive care and survivorship services, and to identify where change is needed.
Childhood and Adolescent Cancer 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.
CoLab 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 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.
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.
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.
