The National Children’s Cancer Service (NCCS) at CHI is the designated national cancer centre for children and young adolescents with cancer in Ireland. All children diagnosed with cancer come to CHI for diagnosis and treatment. Survival rates in paediatric cancer have increased dramatically over the past 40 years from less than 50% to over 80% currently. This has been achieved though many, successive clinical trials which have sought to identify better ways of treating children with cancer. Clinical trials are an integral part of NCCS care delivery. The clinical trials unit integrates these clinical trials into the every day care provided at CHI and through the national shared care network. There may not always be an appropriate trial, or families may prefer to opt out of trial participation, but the CCTU aims to offer trial participation to all children ensuring that patients have access to the best international treatments and potential outcomes.
Cancer is the leading cause of non-accidental death in the older Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA – 16 to 24 age group). Studies over the past two decades have shown that while paediatric and older adult cancers have seen a large increase in survival rates, the same cannot be said for AYA cancers. This has become an increased area of focus in the oncology community. The unique and distinct needs of AYA cancer patients in Ireland are being comprehensively addressed now through the current National Cancer Strategy [2017 – 2026] – recommendations 26 and 27. The establishment of a dedicated AYA Cancer Service Network involving 4 of the 8 adult DCCs with the NCCS and integration with the CAYA cancer trials cluster as the hub will support the most appropriate treatment plans, incorporating a broad portfolio of clinical trials, specific to the needs of AYA patients.
