Thank you for contacting me about the debate on Childhood Cancer Outcomes in the House of Commons which took place on Tuesday 26 April.
Improving outcomes for patients diagnosed with this disease remains a key NHS priority.
Childhood cancers are thankfully extremely rare, accounting for 0.5 per cent of all cancers in the UK, with around one child in every 500 developing some form of cancer by the age of 14 years. My deepest sympathies go out to every family dealing with such a challenging situation.
It is encouraging that spending on cancer research by the National Institute for Health Research increased from £101 million to £138 million between 2010/11 and 2019/20, but I recognise that there is more to be done to increase research into childhood cancers.
Understanding the experience of children and young people with cancer is crucial for being able to improve their cancer treatment and care. The first Under-16 Cancer Patient Experience Survey was published by NHS England in October 2021, following the campaigning of charities like Young Lives vs Cancer and Teenage Cancer Trust.
I strongly encourage children with cancer and their families to take part in the next survey that will take place later in 2022.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.