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Rise in the number of children surviving cancer

New figures show that there has been a rise in the number of children surviving cancer.

Around 140 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. More than eight in 10 children with cancer in the UK now survive for more than five years, compared to just three in 10 in the late 1960s.

The five year survival rate for all children’s cancers has risen from 79% to 82% in the last decade.

To mark this improvement Cancer Research UK is launching an awards scheme, entitled "Little Star Awards" across the region, which will recognise the courage of children fighting the disease.

We would like to encourage anyone who knows an inspirational child to nominate them now.

Cancer Research UK has been at the forefront of research into new treatments for childhood cancers. Although more than eight in 10 children with cancer now survive their disease for more than five years, more work is needed to discover better treatments. As more and more children survive cancer, is it especially important that we concentrate on improving the quality of life after cancer.

– Nicki Embleton, Cancer Research UK Yorkshire