Cancer in children and young people is different to cancer in adults, from the types of cancer to the impacts of treatment and the long-term side effects that many survivors experience. We’re working to overcome the specific challenges holding back progress to help more children and young people survive cancer with a good quality of life.
Below are some examples of what our researchers are doing right now to help improve survival and reduce long-term side effects for children and young people with cancer.
Professor Pam Kearns is Director of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU) in Birmingham. The unit co-ordinates clinical trials across the UK to find new, better and kinder ways to treat the different cancers that affect children and young people. As part of their work, the CRCTU works with scientists across the world to develop these new trials and treatments.
Professor Richard Gilbertson is Co-Director of the Cancer Research UK Children's Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence, supported by TK Maxx. This virtual centre brings together international experts in children’s brain tumour research with the aim of transforming the way treatments for these tumours are developed.
Find out more about our Children's Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence
Professor Katrin Ottersbach at the University of Edinburgh is looking into the biology of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and how it develops in infants from pre-birth. This type of blood cancer is rare and affects children who are less than 1. She hopes this work will lead to the discovery of new early detection markers and targets for treatment for this type of cancer.
Learn more about Professor Ottersbach's research
In Newcastle, Dr Sarra Ryan believes that regions of DNA we haven't been able to decipher may contain errors that could contribute to some childhood cancers. She’s using state-of-the-art technologies to understand how these errors could lead to cancer. This research will enhance our understanding of how certain children and young people’s cancers develop and could improve survival for people with the disease.
Thanks to research, more children and young people with cancer are surviving than ever before.
Find out more about our past research into children's and young people's cancers
Meet people like Adam who have experienced first-hand how our research is making a difference. The life-saving research we do wouldn’t be possible without your support.
Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People is the part of Cancer Research UK dedicated to supporting research into cancers affecting 0-24-year-olds. Learn more about our world-leading research and ways to get involved.
Want to find more information about our work relating to children and young people's cancers?
