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All about life after childhood cancer

Survivors

You underwent cancer treatment as a child. Perhaps this was a long time ago, or maybe it was more recent.

Either way, it has left its mark. Sometimes you might notice this in your body or your energy levels, at moments when you least expect it. At other times, it may be more internal—questions about what the future holds, or thoughts that suddenly resurface.

Whatever you are feeling, please know that you are not alone. This website is here for you, offering reliable and up-to-date information about life after childhood cancer. Are you visiting the LATER clinic, even though you didn’t have cancer, for instance, because you underwent a stem cell transplant for a non-malignant condition? We are here for you, too, and you will find valuable information here tailored to your situation.

Life after childhood cancer

More and more children with cancer are being cured thanks to better treatment and care. Currently, there are more than 14,000 people in the Netherlands who had cancer as a child. Research shows that as a survivor, you are more likely to have health problems than your peers. Sometimes these late effects only arise years after treatment. Many late effects can be treated effectively, especially if caught in time. That is why the Princess Máxima Center has a special clinic for survivors, the LATER clinic.

In scientific literature, people who have had a type of cancer are called survivors. We choose to use this term, although we understand that not everyone embraces it.

On this website, you will find information about:

Information about

  • Your health

    On this page you will find everything about your health, with special attention for exercise and lifestyle.
    Your health

  • Your place in society

    Here you will find information about your school, work and insurance.
    Your place in society

  • Your feelings

    Here you will find information about your feelings
    Your feelings

  • Your late effects

    Here you will find information about your possible late effects
    Your late effects

Share your thoughts!

We would love to hear what you think and what matters to you at the Princess Máxima Center. This helps us better meet your wishes and needs. Join us and share your thoughts!

De Meedenkers

Agenda

Survivor stories

All stories
A survivor’s story

‘Sometimes I try to explain to my classmates how I feel, but they don’t understand the pain.’

Froukje (15) was two years old when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Although that was a long time ago, she now feels more than ever how her illness still affects her. She doesn’t always feel understood. Together with her mother, she shares her story.

A survivor’s story

‘Sometimes I have to switch gears: from my role as a physician-researcher to an appointment as a patient at the LATER outpatient clinic.’

Nikita Clasen (25) is a PhD student at the Princess Máxima Center, where she researches fertility in female childhood cancer patients and survivors. Sometimes she finds this quite confronting, as she has had cancer herself. Now, partly because of her research, she is also thinking about her own fertility.