The survival odds have become very good for Australian children who live at least five years after being diagnosed with cancer.
New Cancer Council research has revealed they are likely to enjoy long-term survival similar to that of children without the disease.
The study found the chance of surviving for a further five years increased from 82 per cent at diagnosis to 89 per cent one year after diagnosis.
But that rose to 95 per cent after three years, and 97 per cent after five years.
"The research found five-year survival rates reached 95 per cent within five years of diagnosis for nearly all types of childhood cancer, regardless of a child's age or cancer type," said Cancer Council Queensland's Katie Clift.
"While the results do not necessarily indicate cure, these survival estimates provide childhood cancer patients, parents and families with some level of reassurance and a more realistic basis to plan for the future."
More effective treatments resulting from research and clinical trials were behind the rates.
Five-year survival for children with cancer, measured from the date of diagnosis, has increased from 76 per cent in 1992-2001 to 82 per cent during 2002-2011, matching a reduction in childhood cancer mortality rates.
Around 640 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer every year in Australia, and almost half of all cases are diagnosed in children under four.
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