The South Carolina Childhood Cancer Taskforce has unveiled its first-ever comprehensive report on childhood cancer. The report recognizes progress in survival rates and a reduction in mortality, as well as critical disparities that remain. Released during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the report, titled “Childhood Cancer in South Carolina: 25-Year Trends in Incidence, Survival and Mortality,” is a large first-step in understanding childhood cancer in the state.
The report, a collaboration between the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), the South Carolina Children’s Hospital Collaborative, the University of South Carolina, and the South Carolina Cancer Alliance, reveals an 11% increase in childhood cancer survival rates and a 21% decrease in mortality over the past 25 years.
“We have made tremendous progress in treating and supporting children with cancer in South Carolina,” said Dr. Anna Hoppmann, chair of the Childhood Cancer Taskforce and pediatric oncologist at Prisma Health. “Because of this report, we now know South Carolina’s priority areas for childhood cancer so we can keep moving the field forward for our patients and their families.”
Among the key findings, the report shows persistent racial and geographic disparities in cancer survival rates. Despite improvements, Black and Hispanic children in South Carolina continue to have lower survival rates than their white counterparts, with Black children showing the lowest survival rate among all groups. The incidence of childhood cancer remains higher in urban areas compared to rural regions.
The report also notes changes in childhood cancer patterns, with a rise in cases of lymphoma and leukemia, while brain and central nervous system tumors have declined. Additionally, it stresses the growing need for long-term survivorship care as more children are living beyond their cancer diagnoses.
“This report shows us critical information that we can use to bridge existing gaps in care,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim director of DPH. “This is an important example of taking data the state collects and engaging multiple partners to produce something of significant long-term value.”
The Childhood Cancer Taskforce was formed with the goal of addressing the state’s lack of childhood cancer-specific data. Previous state reports have focused on adult cancer but never childhood cancer.
“This is the first step we have taken to help us, and the citizens of South Carolina better understand and appreciate the current state of childhood cancer in our community,” said Dr. Aniket Saha, director of pediatric oncology at Prisma in the Upstate.
The report was made possible through the work of various stakeholders, including the state’s cancer registry, which has been collecting cancer data for nearly 30 years. Stephanie Chiodini, the registry’s director, emphasized the importance of teamwork in producing such a comprehensive resource.
“We are excited that this collaboration with our partners does just that,” Chiodini said.
The DPH plans to update the report every five years as part of its state cancer plan.
For more information and to read the full report, visit sccancer.org/pediatrics.
