Thanks to improved therapies, more than 80 percent of U.S. children with cancer now become long-term survivors. An estimated 420,000 childhood cancer survivors live in the U.S. alone, with many more around the world.
St. Jude leads some of the world’s most ambitious research programs in childhood cancer survivorship. With unique data gathered from tens of thousands of cancer survivors, we are identifying the long-term effects of cancer therapy; finding better ways to predict health risks; and working to help survivors everywhere live longer, healthier lives.
St. Jude LIFE Study
St. Jude LIFE is an unprecedented study in which thousands of former St. Jude cancer patients periodically return to our campus for comprehensive clinical evaluations throughout their adult lives.
Findings from this unique cohort have yielded novel insights into the long-term effects of pediatric cancers and their treatments, and are informing new approaches to improve long-term survivor health.
Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
St. Jude is the coordinating center for the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS). This multi-institutional collaboration is the world’s single largest resource for survivorship research.
Through this initiative, we are analyzing comprehensive treatment exposure and self-reported outcomes data for more than 35,000 survivors, including thousands who were treated at St. Jude.
Meet our teams
St. Jude faculty and staff include some of the world’s leading investigators and clinicians in pediatric cancer survivorship.
Patient care
As well as our unique research programs, we provide world-class clinical care for survivors who have completed their active therapy at St. Jude. Patients whose disease has been in remission for five years receive specialized care at our After Completion of Therapy (ACT) clinic. Survivors graduating from St. Jude clinical programs may receive cancer-related consultation services through the St. Jude Alumnus Office.
Latest survivorship research
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St. Jude Biorepository: A Hope Chest of Cells
The St. Jude Biorepository preserves biological samples for use in groundbreaking research.
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Improved recognition to help fertility preservation for cancer patients
Premature ovarian insufficiency leaves childhood cancer survivors at risk for infertility, weak bones and poor health.
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Researchers chart pathway to 'rejuvenating' immune cells to fight cancers
Enhanced immunotherapies against cancer and viral infections may be on the horizon thanks to a new strategy to combat T cell exhaustion.
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Survivor Tim Wigginton Is On Top of the World
This cancer survivor acquired tenacity and drive through his journey with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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Study of childhood cancer survivors shows reduction in radiation therapy leads to decline of second cancers
Changes in childhood cancer treatment, including the reduced use of radiation therapy, has reduced the risk for second cancer in survivors.
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Childhood cancer survivors are living longer but do not report improvement in health status
Childhood Cancer Survivor Study reveals patients do not report better health status despite gains in life expectancy due to advances in cancer treatment
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Novel statistical method captures long-term health burden of pediatric cancer cures
Researchers develop “cumulative burden” statistical method to measure and address the impact of chronic disease in childhood cancer survivors
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Most teen survivors of childhood cancer are well adjusted
While most teen cancer survivors are well adjusted, some may benefit from more comprehensive psychological screening to identify and treat symptoms
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Some adolescent cancer survivors may require more comprehensive mental health screening
Study shows that most teen cancer survivors do well psychologically, but cancer treatment may influence some survivors’ symptoms
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Loss of essential protein in the choroid plexus epithelium linked to hydrocephalus
Multifunctional protein Alix identified as essential for maintaining fluid balance in the brain; loss is linked to hydrocephalus.
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Chemo drug makes multitasking a challenge for some leukemia survivors
Methotrexate exposure tied to reduced mental flexibility, planning and other executive function skills in long-term survivors of pediatric leukemia.
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Methotrexate exposure impacts cognitive processes cancer survivors need to multitask
Higher blood levels of methotrexate during treatment of childhood leukemia have been linked to diminished executive function in long-term survivors.
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Understanding how brain tumor treatment affects the brain
An unprecedented study finds that survivors of childhood brain tumors are at risk of memory and intelligence deficits. A key goal? Catch them early.
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Long-term survivors of childhood cancer living longer thanks in part to treatment changes
Study shows the 15-year death rate among childhood cancer survivors has decreased steadily since 1970, coinciding with changes in pediatric cancer therapy and follow-up care.
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Survivors of childhood bone cancer are at risk for learning, memory problems
Research from the St. Jude LIFE study found childhood osteosarcoma survivors have a higher risk for learning and memory problems.
