​Every year, an estimated 250,000+ new cases of cancer affect children under the age of 20 worldwide. Despite this, childhood cancer research is vastly and consistently underfunded. Check out the infographic below for more childhood cancer facts.

Childhood Cancer Facts

• Childhood cancer research is vastly and consistently underfunded.
• Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under the age of 19 in the U.S.
• One in 285 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer by the time they are 20 years old.
• Every year, an estimated 250,000+ new cases of cancer affect children under the age of 20 worldwide.
• Two-thirds of childhood cancer patients will have long lasting chronic conditions from treatment.
• Childhood cancer is not just one disease. It is made up of 12 major types and over 100 subtypes.
  ​
  

DONATE NOW

Leading Cause of Death by Disease
Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children and adolescents in the United States. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

Over 40,000 Children in Treatment
​More than 40,000 children undergo treatment for cancer each year. (Source: CureSearch)

Pediatric Cancer is Not Rare
​One out of every 300 males and one out of every 333 females in America will develop cancer before their 20th birthday. (American Society of Clinical Oncology)

Lack of Federal Funding
All types of childhood cancer combined receive less than 4% of the United States federal funding for cancer research. (National Cancer Institute)

Most Cannot Be Prevented
​The causes of most pediatric cancers remain a mystery and cannot be prevented. (American Cancer Society)

Lack of Drugs for Children
In the last 20 years, the FDA has approved only four pediatric cancer drugs—Clolar, Erwinaze, Dinutuximab, and Tisagenlecleucel.  (American Association for Cancer Research)

Childhood Cancer Rates Rising
Approximately 13,500 children & adolescents 18 and under are diagnosed with cancer each year. (Children’s Oncology Group)

Incidences Have Increased 29%
​Incidence of invasive pediatric cancers is up 29% in the past 20 years. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

Average Age of Death is 8
​The average age of death for a child with cancer is 8, causing a childhood cancer victim to lose 69 years of expected life years; a significant loss of productivity to society. (Source: Kids V. Cancer)

One Out of Five Die
Approximately 20 percent of all children with cancer will die for their disease, a secondary cancer, or complications from treatment. (National Cancer Institute)

Risk of Secondary Cancers
Childhood cancer survivors are at significant risk for secondary cancers later in life. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

Childhood Cancer does not Discriminate
Childhood cancer does not discriminate, sparing no ethnic group, socioeconomic class or geographic region. (Source: Centers for Disease Control data)

Facts from ​awoccf.org