New data shows improvements in childhood cancer survival rates

Charity Cancer Research UK has revealed new figures showing a marked increase in the number of children surviving cancer in the last 50 years.

An estimated 33,000 long-term survivors of childhood cancer will be living in the UK by the end of 2012, according to the organisation, with the majority of these being completely cured.

In the late 1960s, fewer than three in 10 children survived their disease for at least five years, but this number has now risen to almost eight in ten, thanks to medical research into new therapy options.

However, the organisation noted that there remains a need for better treatment for the 1,600 children diagnosed with cancer each year.

Professor Peter Johnson, Cancer Research UK's chief clinician, said: "As a major funder of research into childhood cancers in the UK, Cancer Research UK is working towards a future where all children are cured of cancer."

Last month, the charity said an urgent change to approaches for treating and researching childhood cancers is needed, one which will require researchers, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory authorities and patients to work together.