Research –
better chances of recovery and fewer late effects
Today, four out of five children and adolescents with cancer are successfully treated and cured of their cancer. Even though the chances of survival have improved thanks to medical advances, one in five children still dies of cancer and many of the survivors suffer from the late effects of the disease and therapy. Because the types of cancer children and adolescents develop are different from those contracted by adults, they need research which is specifically tailored to their needs. Childhood Cancer Switzerland supports research so that therapies can be further improved to cure even more children and keep late effects to a minimum.
“Without clinical research, Luis wouldn’t be here with us today.”
Leukaemia is one of the most common forms of childhood cancer. Nowadays, the chances of survival are good thanks to the findings of clinical trials conducted over the past decades. Nannette Keller talks about how her son Luis was cured thanks to major medical advances.
Childhood cancer research in Switzerland
Childhood cancer is one of the rare diseases. In Switzerland, it is almost exclusively non-profit academic organisations, such as universities and children’s hospitals, that conduct research in this area. Childhood cancer research requires sufficient financial resources for children and adolescents to continue to have access to cutting-edge cancer therapies. Since state funding is not sufficient, research has to be financed with donations and external funding.
Clinical research
Clinical research aims to explore therapies and treatments in humans to improve the chances of survival and reduce long-term consequences. The knowledge gained from clinical trials helps scientists to better understand the course of cancer diseases and to develop more modern therapy methods.
Epidemiological research
Epidemiological childhood cancer research in Switzerland evaluates data from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry, its own and international research projects. On the basis of such evaluations, statements can be made about the causes and development of different types of cancer as well as their progression and the effectiveness of therapies.
Basic research
Basic research in oncology contributes to a better scientific understanding and thus to the fight against cancer. In the laboratory, studies are carried out on the changes that turn healthy cells into cancer cells, how they multiply, spread in the body and react to certain treatments.
What we do in the area of research
We give member organisations active in research financial support and participate in the funding of research projects. In addition, we help secure external funding for research projects. As of 2020, we will also be awarding an annual prize in the area of basic research to recognise promising research projects in paediatric oncology.
For the financial year 2021, the total volume of our funding contributions to cancer research in the field of paediatric oncology totals around CHF 200,000. In addition, we allocated around CHF 43,213 to the fund for basic research to support projects.
