Childhood cancer differs from adult cancer – and understanding that difference saves lives. When comprehensive medical services are within reach, more than 80% of children with cancer can be cured, but in many countries of the WHO European Region the survival rate is much lower.
To support policies for faster diagnosis and better treatment of childhood cancer in the European Region and beyond, WHO/Europe, in collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (United States of America), is conducting a mission to Uzbekistan. The mission builds on Uzbekistan’s leadership in implementing the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) and its participation in the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, with support from the Islamic Development Bank.
Childhood cancer: why is it different?
Cancers in children are closely connected to genetic factors. This is different from many adult cancers that are often directly associated with lifestyle or environmental risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption or unhealthy diets.
Childhood cancers often arise from rapid cell growth during development, which means they cannot be prevented – but even when these cancers grow quickly, they can be effectively treated and cured if diagnosed early and managed properly.
Rapid diagnosis and better treatment are key
“The WHO European Region has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating childhood cancer, but health inequalities still persist, and those inequalities can lead to children’s deaths and broken families,” said Dr Gundo Weiler, Director for Prevention and Health Promotion at WHO/Europe.
“Where a child lives, how quickly they are diagnosed and whether essential medicines and specialized care are available can determine whether that child survives. In countries with strong health systems, survival rates exceed 80%. In settings with limited access, survival can fall below 30%. For the safety of our children, we must strive for the highest possible survival rate everywhere.”
Rapid diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer with quality-assured medicines are critical. Delays can allow fast-growing cancers to progress to advanced stages, reducing chances of survival and increasing the intensity of treatment required. Strengthening diagnostic pathways to specialized services, ensuring uninterrupted access to life-saving medicines and expanding professional training for health workers are among the most effective ways to improve outcomes.
WHO/Europe mission to Uzbekistan: reducing inequalities through system change
The WHO/Europe technical mission to Uzbekistan, organized in collaboration with the WHO Country Office in Uzbekistan, aims to accelerate national and regional progress by strengthening childhood cancer care systems at scale.
Together, progress is being made towards achieving the GICC goal of lifting childhood cancer survival globally to at least 60%, while reducing suffering and improving quality of life, a goal that was formally recognized as a public health priority in the political declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2025.
Key objectives of the mission include:
- supporting national leadership and policy alignment on childhood cancer control;
- strengthening diagnostic pathways, treatment standards and access to essential medicines;
- advancing on training and capacity building for paediatric hematology and oncology and palliative care;
- aligning partner-funded investments, including those supported by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Islamic Development Bank, to ensure sustainability and scaling up; and
- reducing delays in diagnosis and improving continuity of care.
By convening policy-makers, clinicians and international partners, the mission seeks to translate global commitments into concrete national action.
Childhood cancer can be cured – and survival should never depend on geography, income or chance.