Arabic version: يواجه الناجون من سرطان الطفولة تحديات صحية مدى الحياة في أستراليا

More Australian children are beating cancer, but four-in-five have lifelong health issues. According to ABC News, four-in-five survivors experience at least one long-term health condition such as pain, fatigue, infertility or memory decline.

As the survival rate for childhood cancer in Australia continues to improve, experts say there is a growing need to support survivors with chronic health conditions. The call for comprehensive, coordinated follow-up care for survivors after active cancer therapy ends comes from more than 20 Australian health and research organisations, led by non-profit organisation Children’s Cancer CoLab.

Maya Oldroyd, a 16-year-old cancer survivor, exemplifies the challenges faced by many. Diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma at age three, she underwent extensive treatment and was declared cancer-free after 18 months. However, the vigorous therapies that saved her life also left Maya with complex, lifelong health issues, including hearing loss and a chronic gut condition.

Experts like Dr. Greg Wheeler from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre report a significant improvement in childhood cancer survival rates, with approximately 80% of diagnosed children expected to survive. However, the long-term impacts of cancer treatments are becoming increasingly evident, highlighting the need for ongoing support and monitoring for survivors.

The emotional and financial toll of childhood cancer is also profound, affecting not just the patients but their families as well. Survivors like Angus Hollington, who has endured multiple cancer diagnoses and treatments, stress the importance of better resources and support systems to navigate life after cancer.