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<p>Cancer incidence rates over the last ten years for people under 25 years old show
a minimal increase in absolute numbers. Unlike with many adult cancers, lifestyle-related
risk factors (such as smoking) do not influence a young person’s risk of developing
cancer so cancers are less preventable. The small increase in incidence therefore
reflects changes in demographics rather than relative risk of having cancer at any
given age.</p><p>As such, our focus is on research and ensuring that children and
young people get the very best treatment and care if they do develop cancer. The NHS
Long Term Plan has a series of commitments to improve outcomes for all cancer patients,
including children and young people with cancer. For example, the National Health
Service will actively support children and young people to take part in clinical trials,
so that participation among children remains high, and among teenagers and young adults
rises to 50% by 2025. Also, from 2019, the NHS will begin to offer all children with
cancer whole genome sequencing to enable more comprehensive and precise diagnosis,
and access to more personalised treatments.</p>
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