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Children’s Oncology Group Research Instrumental
Bethesda, MD
Thursday, December 13, 2007
December 13, 2007, Bethesda, MD – A new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the cancer death rate for children in the United States has declined sharply — down 20 percent from 1990 to 2004.
Dr. Gregory Reaman, Chair of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the world's premier pediatric cancer research collaborative, notes that these vastly improved outcomes are a direct result of the collaborative research of the COG.
"The Children's Oncology Group pools the resources and talents of more than 5,000 medical experts at more than 200 children's and university hospitals. By working together and sharing results, clinical investigators can improve cure rates at a much faster pace than could any one individual or single institution working alone"
A total of 2,223 pediatric cancer deaths occurred in 2004 (the most recent year that data is available) compared to 2,457 in 1990. In fact, the death rate for pediatric cancer has declined an average of 1.7% percent per year throughout this 15-year period. The leading subgroups of cancer deaths continue to be those from leukemias (25.5%) closely followed by brain and other central nervous system neoplasms (25.0%).
However, in spite of this progress, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for U.S. children. Further gains will require a continuing commitment to research; only research cures cancer.
"While we have made remarkable breakthroughs in cancer treatments and improvement in survival rates, too many children continue to die," Reaman notes. "Cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease in children in the United States. In addition, the price of cure due to the long term side effects of therapy is costly for many childhood cancer survivors and families"
Read more about the new CDC report:
www.cdc.ogv/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5648a1.htm
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About the Children's Oncology Group:
The Children's Oncology Group is the world's largest cooperative childhood cancer research organization, treating more than 90% of children with cancer in the United States. The Children's Oncology Group includes more than 5,000 medical experts in childhood cancer research and treatment, located at more then 200 leading healthcare institutions in North America.
About CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation:
CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation supports the work of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the world's largest cooperative childhood cancer research organization, which treats more than 90% of children with cancer, at more than 200 children's and university hospitals, and Cancer Centers in the US. Together, we are committed to conquering childhood cancer through scientific discovery and compassionate care. For more information, visit: www.curesearch.org.
Dr. Gregory Reaman, Chair of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the world's premier pediatric cancer research collaborative, notes that these vastly improved outcomes are a direct result of the collaborative research of the COG.
"The Children's Oncology Group pools the resources and talents of more than 5,000 medical experts at more than 200 children's and university hospitals. By working together and sharing results, clinical investigators can improve cure rates at a much faster pace than could any one individual or single institution working alone"
A total of 2,223 pediatric cancer deaths occurred in 2004 (the most recent year that data is available) compared to 2,457 in 1990. In fact, the death rate for pediatric cancer has declined an average of 1.7% percent per year throughout this 15-year period. The leading subgroups of cancer deaths continue to be those from leukemias (25.5%) closely followed by brain and other central nervous system neoplasms (25.0%).
However, in spite of this progress, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for U.S. children. Further gains will require a continuing commitment to research; only research cures cancer.
"While we have made remarkable breakthroughs in cancer treatments and improvement in survival rates, too many children continue to die," Reaman notes. "Cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease in children in the United States. In addition, the price of cure due to the long term side effects of therapy is costly for many childhood cancer survivors and families"
Read more about the new CDC report:
www.cdc.ogv/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5648a1.htm
# # #
About the Children's Oncology Group:
The Children's Oncology Group is the world's largest cooperative childhood cancer research organization, treating more than 90% of children with cancer in the United States. The Children's Oncology Group includes more than 5,000 medical experts in childhood cancer research and treatment, located at more then 200 leading healthcare institutions in North America.
About CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation:
CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation supports the work of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the world's largest cooperative childhood cancer research organization, which treats more than 90% of children with cancer, at more than 200 children's and university hospitals, and Cancer Centers in the US. Together, we are committed to conquering childhood cancer through scientific discovery and compassionate care. For more information, visit: www.curesearch.org.
Sally Charney
Director of Public Education
CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation
Bethesda, MD
240-235-2205
301-718-0047
