New Report: Childhood Cancer and Disability
The Report:
Survivors of childhood cancer have an increased risk of experiencing disabling conditions, both from the cancer itself and from the effects of treatment, says a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report, Childhood Cancer and Functional Impacts Across the Care Continuum, examines clinical trial participation and advances in treatment, which have implications for improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
This report provides current information, findings, and conclusions regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of selected childhood cancers, including different types of malignant solid tumors. It also examines the effect of those cancers on children’s health and functional capacity, including the relative levels of functional limitation typically associated with the cancers and their treatment.
Our View:
Chronic health problems related to childhood cancer and its treatment impact the lifelong health of the more than 500,000 childhood cancer survivors in this country. At Children’s Cancer Cause, we’re committed to improving patient outcomes and improving the quality of life of survivors as they grapple with myriad chronic health issues.
We’ve devoted significant resources to addressing the complexities around issues like reimbursement of care and transitions of care. As policy authors and key champions of survivorship provisions in the Childhood Cancer STAR Act and the related GAO report on barriers to care for survivors, we have long recognized and worked to address many of the issues raised in this new study. Projects and programs of the Children’s Cancer Cause, such as our newly launched Stewart Initiative for Childhood Cancer Survivors, aim to provide resources to survivors while further elevating the discourse around the burden of devastating long-term late effects resulting from treatment.
We applaud this report, which illuminates the ongoing challenges our community faces into and throughout adulthood. We will continue to assess the implications of this study and incorporate its findings into our policy work on Capitol Hill as we head into a new legislative session.
“Cancer and its associated treatment can leave an indelible mark on children, so it’s critical to monitor for ongoing health problems and side effects well into adulthood. For many survivors of childhood cancer, their last treatment is just the beginning of their journey. During care transitions, in clinical trials for new treatment regimens, and in disability determinations, we need to consider long-term effects and how we can help survivors thrive as adults.”