Survivorship Initiatives
80% of childhood cancer survivors experience long-term effects from their treatment.
A hidden crisis for childhood and adolescent cancer survivors and families
The challenges of childhood and adolescent cancer don't end when treatment stops.
Survivors face complex, lifelong impacts across every aspect of their lives, from physical health and cognitive function to education, employment, relationships, and financial stability. Understanding and addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach to survivorship research and care.
As part of our Survivorship and Living Well Impact Program, we’re bringing together those who have lived through childhood and adolescent cancer with leading national and international experts in survivorship care and research. Representatives from key charities and advocacy organisations are also joining our collaborative effort to address the urgent need for improved survivorship care across Australia.
Our survivorship initiatives, outlined below, and our funding strategies aim to transform long-term care for childhood cancer survivors. We're working to ensure every child has access to comprehensive, coordinated support designed specifically for their journey from patient to thriving adult.
What is survivorship?
Cancer survivorship encompasses the lifelong experience that begins at cancer diagnosis and extends through all subsequent life stages.
Cancer survivorship 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
CoLab survivorship initiatives
Led by those who know survivorship issues best - survivors and families
Survivorship Consultation Report
Read 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.
