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If there is any good news about childhood cancer, and childhood cancer diagnoses, it’s that more and more children are doing well after a cancer diagnosis. In fact, three fourths of the 12,000 young people diagnosed with cancer under the age of 18 each year are expected to have excellent outcomes.

As more children with cancer have better results, the number of adults who had cancer as a child continues to rise. This exciting result reflects the efforts of cancer researchers around the country who have dedicated their lives to finding better treatments that also reduce the potential long-term side effects from cancer and its treatments.

Late Effects of Childhood Cancer

There may be late effects of childhood cancer. These effects include

• Impaired growth
• Heart problems
• Lung problems
• Thyroid problems
• Bone density problems
• Dental problems
• Fertility
• Liver problems
• Kidney problems
• Learning problems
• Emotional problems
• Second cancers

Feelings of Recurrence

Feelings of recurrence among survivors is very common. The Abramson Cancer can help you address them through our Living Well After Childhood Cancer Program.

The Living Well After Childhood Cancer program was established with a grant from the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). The LAF continues to help support the program and credits it as the premier model for helping survivors understand, address, and control the medical and psychological effects of a cancer diagnosis.

At Penn, we focus on you and your particular medical situation and personal questions or needs. We help you understand the effects that your prior surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy may have long-term on your health. These effects are commonly called ‘late effects'. Because we know that there may be psychological effects directly related to having had cancer as a child, our team is also prepared to help you work through your concerns. Other issues, such as insurance and infertility, are also discussed in a private, supportive environment.

Our goal is to make you feel empowered and that you are in charge of your long-term health.

If you are a childhood cancer survivor, or know a childhood cancer survivor, visit the Living Well After Childhood Cancer program at the Abramson Cancer Center.