We are excited to share the results of a new piece of research by Candlelighters undertaken at the University of Leeds.
As well as supporting families daily through childhood cancer, we bring hope by investing in vital research to improve the outcomes and lives of children with cancer. For nearly 40 years we have invested in research and have seen survival rates continue to improve, with those in Yorkshire now amongst the best in the world. It is also important that as well as surviving, children are able to survive better with fewer long term effects.
Two of our Candlelighters funded clinical research fellows – Dr Hannah Newton and Dr Amanda Friend PhD – have been part of a team working on research to ensure fertility preservation for children and young people diagnosed with cancer.
For up to one in five young people with cancer, the disease – or its treatment – causes significant damage to their reproductive organs and threatens their future fertility.
National and international guidance is that fertility preservation treatment should be available and should be offered if appropriate. But this research found serious inconsistencies in what children are offered.
The results of the report are being used to progress discussions with NHS England to aim to have fertility preservation services commissioned centrally to ensure consistency in treatment across the country.
We are proud to work alongside the team at Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust and the University of Leeds that is only the second centre in England to have all the appropriate facilities and regulatory licences to be able to provide this service which is offered to all patients where it is appropriate.
You can read about this new piece of research here.
If you would like to help us continue our mission to bring hope through investing in research into childhood cancer, you can donate to us online here.
