Incidence of childhood cancer in the UK
The incidence of specific cancer types in this age group are rare, but the children and young people's cancer as a broad group is not rare. There is a comparable risk similar to other common childhood conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, and bacterial meningitis (Walker, 2021 https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp21X715241).
Types of childhood cancer
Read more about the main types of cancer affecting children and young people.
Presentation of common childhood cancers
The signs and symptoms of cancer in children and young people can be difficult to spot as many are similar to those seen in other common illnesses. In 2025 CCLG launched the Child Cancer Smart evidence-based awareness campaign to help the public and professionals spot the signs. Read more about the presentation of common childhood cancers.
Diagnostic investigations
A number of diagnostic investigations (tests and scans) may be carried out to diagnose cancer, and to determine the size of the tumour or extend of the blood cancer, and whether or not it has spread beyond where it started in the body. Read more about diagnosis, tests and scans, and staging.
Survival in the UK
Cure rates for children are much higher than for most adult cancers. The survival rate for children’s cancer has more than doubled since the 1960s.