Description

The Laboratory Centre for Disease Control (LCDC), Health Canada, is sponsoring the establishment of a national childhood cancer information program for cancer surveillance and control. The program's purpose is to facilitate/enable activities aimed at reducing the individual and societal burdens consequent on the occurrence of cancer in childhood. At a national consensus conference in October, 1993, which initiated the Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program (CCCSCP), five components of the program were identified: treatment surveillance, etiology, impact of treatment on families, late effects and a tissue bank.

A pilot study of the etiology of childhood cancers is being conducted in British Columbia. Using telephone interviews and self-report questionnaires, it will assess five classes of potential risk factors for cancer in childhood: chemical agents, including drugs and diet; physical agents, including x-rays; genetic factors; components of the immune system; and infectious agents. A sample of children newly diagnosed with cancer, and a comparison group of children without cancer, will be recruited for this study.

In order to investigate the impact of a diagnosis of cancer in childhood, including an evaluation of the extent of care and support available, and an assessment of patient and family needs, a survey of a sample of families of children and adolescents with cancer who have had a diagnosis approximately two years ago is underway. The survey will determine the levels of support and need in non-treatment-related aspects of medical care, the financial burden of the diagnosis and treatment, and psychosocial factors.

The program is proceeding with a study of late behavioral effects on the health of survivors of childhood cancer. Survival of childhood cancer patients has increased from approximately 50% to 80% from the early 1970's to the 1990's. By the year 2000, one in every 1,000 young adults aged 20-29 is expected to be a survivor of childhood cancer. Childhood cancer and its treatment result in serious sequelae for some survivors. The long term effects have important consequences not only for patients and their families, but also for the health care system. The purpose of this study is to assess the nature and extent of psychosocial and physical late effects of childhood cancer in a cohort of Canadians who have survived a diagnosis of childhood cancer. Approximately 450 survivors of childhood cancer in British Columbia and a comparison group of B.C. residents without cancer, are being interviewed for this study under the direction of Ms. McBride.

Principal Investigator

• Mary L McBride