In Canada approximately 850 children under the age of 14 are diagnosed with cancer every year. One hundred and thirty five of them will not survive their illness.

But new technology and medical advances have chopped the number of cases of childhood cancer down by more than 50 per cent since the 1950s, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. Childhood cancer survival rates are slightly over 80 per cent, with leukemia rates reaching 95 per cent.

Leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells, accounts for approximately a third of new cases. Solid cancers of the central nervous system are the second most common followed by lymphomas. Tumours are the leading cause of death as they are often difficult to treat when located adjacent to vital body organs.

"The challenge now is to find out more through research on how to prevent childhood cancers and about the long term health effects of treatments on childhood cancer survivors," Barbara Kaminsky, CEO for Canadian Cancer Society's B.C. and Yukon division, stated in a press release.

The society has allocated more than $9.8 million over the last three years to fund childhood cancer research. Money raised through Cops for Cancer makes up a significant part of this investment.

B.C. Cancer Agency researcher Mary McBride is leading a $1.5 million three-year study, funded by this money. The project assesses the lifetime impact of cancer treatment on B.C. survivors under the age of 25. The research team is comparing numerous health and lifestyle outcomes between survivors and people who have not had cancer.

"Late onset effects of cancer treatment could put this group at risk for serious problems with their health, learning abilities, social adjustment and consequently, their employment," McBride said. "But at present those risks, and appropriate care for those at risk, are issues we know little about."

To support childhood cancer research and for more information on cancer research please visit www.cancer.ca. Cops for Cancer, Tour de Rock, updates can also be found on the site.

raldous@vicnews.com