This Battle Which I Must Fight
Cancer in Canada's Children and Teenagers

Preface

The Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program, launched in July 1992, is part of the federal government's Child Development Initiative aimed at reducing risks to the health and normal development of children. Children are considered at risk if conditions threaten their ability to develop into healthy, happy adults, capable of making their unique contributions to society. Some threatening conditions are ill health, poverty, neglect and abuse. The federal government will review and evaluate its activities under the Child Development Initiative so that the effectiveness of its programs and changes in the needs and status of children will be documented.

The Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program is envisaged as a partnership among health care providers, researchers, consumers, governments, voluntary agencies and others concerned with childhood cancer. Its goal is to contribute towards reducing the suffering and burden caused by childhood cancer by identifying causal factors and assessing treatment and long-term effects. To accomplish this, a nationwide information system on childhood cancer has been established in collaboration with treatment centres and cancer registries. The system gathers data on cancer occurrence, risk factors, treatment, outcome and long-term effects. The Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program will also facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of childhood cancer prevention and control strategies and will encourage scientific research in these areas.

A primary function of the Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program is to create and share a body of knowledge concerning cancer in young people. This book provides an overview of the information available and sets a benchmark for future childhood cancer control activities. It represents a collaboration among the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control in Health Canada and Canadian cancer registries, pediatric oncology centres and cancer authorities.

This book is the product of financial contributions from several sources and countless hours of volunteer work. Dialogue with children and teenagers with cancer and their families greatly contributed to and guided its content. This enthusiastic support reflects the importance of the book's message that considerable success in treating young people with cancer co-exists with the seriousness of this disease. The Laboratory Centre for Disease Control is grateful to its partners with whom it has shared the privilege of preparing this book.

J.Z. Losos, MD, DECH, FRCPC, FACPM
Director General
Laboratory Centre for Disease Control
Health Canada

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