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Research

Today, around 80–85% of children and adolescents with cancer survive. Behind this encouraging figure lie countless stories of hope, courage, and medical progress—but also the reality that not every child can be saved.

Some children still lose their lives to cancer, and many survivors face lifelong physical or psychological challenges. Childhood cancers also differ fundamentally from those in adults. This makes dedicated, child-focused research essential—research that takes into account their unique needs, developing bodies, and long-term futures.

Childhood Cancer Switzerland is therefore strongly committed to childhood cancer research – to turn hope into healing, progress into real quality of life, and ensure that more children not only survive, but are able to grow up and grow old healthily.

What we do

Clinical research

Clinical research aims to explore therapies and treatments in humans to improve the chances of survival and reduce long-term consequences. The knowledge gained from clinical trials helps scientists to better understand the course of cancer diseases and to develop more modern therapy methods.

 The Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group (SPOG), a member organisation of Childhood Cancer Switzerland, coordinates and oversees a comprehensive clinical cancer research programme for children and adolescents across Switzerland.

Epidemiological research

Epidemiological childhood cancer research in Switzerland evaluates data from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry, its own and international research projects. On the basis of such evaluations, statements can be made about the causes and development of different types of cancer as well as their progression and the effectiveness of therapies.   

The Child and Adolescent Health Research Group (ISPM) at the University of Bern, a member organisation of Childhood Cancer Switzerland, investigates possible risk factors for the development of childhood cancer. It also studies the long-term life situation of people who had cancer as children or adolescents.

Basic research

In order to further promote childhood cancer research, Childhood Cancer Switzerland awards an annual research prize alongside its funding of projects. Learn more in our annual report.

The award, which is endowed with CHF 35 000, is presented every year to young scientists, who engage in outstanding and pioneering projects in basic research at Swiss research institutes or hospitals.