Enabling Futures Together – Demands for International Childhood Cancer Day

Every year, around 350 children and adolescents in Switzerland are diagnosed with cancer. Four out of five survive their disease. Nevertheless, a cancer diagnosis represents a profound turning point for children and their families. Daily life changes abruptly, treatments are complex, access to specialised therapies is not always straightforward, and many Survivors live with long-term effects for the rest of their lives. Despite significant progress in recent years, childhood cancer remains one of the greatest challenges in child health.

On the occasion of International Childhood Cancer Day on 15 February 2026, Childhood Cancer Switzerland therefore calls for targeted political and structural developments to ensure that affected children, adolescents and families receive the support they need – today and in the future.

1. Sustainable Promotion of Reserch

Children develop different types of tumours than adults and therefore require dedicated research and clinical trials. Because childhood cancer is rare and offers limited commercial incentives, the development of new treatments worldwide progresses more slowly than in adult oncology. Research is largely carried out by children’s hospitals and universities, which have only limited resources at their disposal.

Childhood Cancer Switzerland advocates for the long-term strengthening of childhood cancer research, improved framework conditions for clinical trials, and the clear prioritisation of paediatric oncology in national research programmes. Only through targeted support can children gain access to modern and effective therapies.

“Childhood cancer research determines which therapies will be available tomorrow. We need clear political priorities and better framework conditions so that studies can progress more quickly and children gain access to modern treatments.”

Prof. Dr. med. Nicolas von der Weid, President Childhood Cancer Switzerland

2. Strengthening Follow-Up Care for Survivors

During treatment and in paediatric oncology follow-up care, children and adolescents in Switzerland are generally well supported. Challenges arise particularly during the transition from paediatric to adult healthcare.

International standards for long-term follow-up exist, but their implementation varies depending on the treatment centre. There is a risk that coordinated structures may be lost, especially in linking medical, psychosocial and vocational support. Childhood Cancer Switzerland therefore calls for a national Survivorship strategy with binding standards for follow-up care.

«All Survivors are entitled to appropriate support. Nationwide standards for follow-up care are essential to ensure that young people receive the support they need for education, employment and mental health.»

Elena Guarnaccia, CEO Childhood Cancer Switzerland

3. Child-Appropriate Access to Therapies for All

Many children require specialised treatments that differ significantly from those used in adults or are not officially approved for paediatric use. However, reimbursement by mandatory health insurance is often based on criteria derived from adult medicine. Rare tumour types, small patient populations and limited clinical data make realistic assessments difficult, leading to delayed or inconsistent reimbursement decisions. For many families, this results in uncertainty and additional pressure during already challenging treatment phases.

Childhood Cancer Switzerland advocates for reimbursement decisions that are clear, transparent and child-appropriate across Switzerland, for assessment models that systematically take paediatric specificities into account, and for faster reimbursement procedures. The goal is reliable access to all necessary therapies, regardless of where children live or which hospital treats them.

“Children need treatmentstailored to theirspecificneeds. Reimbursement decisionsmust therefore be faster, more transparent and child-appropriate – regardless of where a child lives.”

Laura Kundert, Public Affairs & Lobbying Childhood Cancer Switzerland

The progress achieved in recent years demonstrates what is possible when policymakers, healthcare providers and civil society work together. Now is the time to consistently continue along this path: designing child-appropriate therapies, providing sustainable support for Survivors, and promoting research in a targeted manner. With the establishment of its new Public Affairs & Lobbying department, Childhood Cancer Switzerland will further expand its political engagement in 2026 and bring the concerns of those affected even more strongly to the federal level.

More information at www.childhoodcancer.ch