International Childhood Cancer Day: Research as the key to better survival rates
(Vienna, February 15, 2026) Every year, around 400,000 children and adolescents worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, with around 300-350 cases in Austria. International Childhood Cancer Day on February 15 draws attention to the special medical, psychological, and social challenges faced by affected children and their families, and to the central role of research in improving the chances of recovery.
Cancer in children is rare, but often particularly aggressive. While external risk factors play a major role in adults, cancer in children is often based on spontaneous genetic or epigenetic changes. “These mutations usually arise without any identifiable external cause and impair fundamental developmental processes, making some childhood cancers particularly aggressive and difficult to treat,” explains Associate Professor Dr. Eleni Tomazou, Scientific Director of St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute.
In Austria today, up to 85 percent of affected children survive at least five years after diagnosis. This development shows the great progress made in recent decades. However, survival rates remain very unevenly distributed worldwide: in countries with low levels of development, only around ten percent of children with cancer survive. Every year, around 100,000 children and adolescents worldwide die of cancer.
In Austria today, up to 85 percent of affected children survive at least five years after diagnosis. This development shows the great progress made in recent decades. However, survival rates remain very unevenly distributed worldwide: in countries with low levels of development, only around ten percent of children with cancer survive. Every year, around 100,000 children and adolescents worldwide die of cancer.
To reduce these inequalities, the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. The goal is to increase the global survival rate to at least 60 percent by 2030. Key prerequisites for this are earlier diagnosis, more effective therapies, and sustainable investment in medical research.
Close cooperation between clinics and research is crucial for progress in the treatment of childhood cancer. Direct exchange between medical practice and science makes it possible to quickly integrate new findings into care and continuously improve therapies.
“In order to further improve the survival chances of children with cancer, continuous investment in research and international cooperation is needed. This is the only way to bring innovative therapies into clinical practice quickly,” emphasizes Dr. Taschner-Mandl, Director of the St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute.
St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute is one of the world’s leading research institutions in the field of pediatric oncology. Since its founding in 1988, the institute has been dedicated to developing innovative diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic approaches for children and adolescents with cancer. Its research work is largely supported by private donations.