ABSTRACT
Malignant disease is the second most common cause of death after accidents in children between 1 and 15 years, accounting for 16% of deaths. Nationally, approximately 1200 new cases of leukaemia and cancer are diagnosed each year. With a UK population of ~11 million children, this gives a 1 in 600 risk of developing cancer in the first 15 years of life. Overall, cancer is approximately one-third more common in boys. Despite being the second most common cause of death in children, a GP whose list includes 500 children could expect to see only two new cases in 35 years. However, by the year 2000, 1 in 1000 20-yearolds will be a survivor of childhood cancer, so the late effects of both the disease and its treatment are becoming increasingly important.
