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After childhood cancer treatment

Once cancer treatment has finished, your child or young person will keep going to clinics. These will be at one of the following:

  • the centre where your child had their treatment
  • your local shared care centre

Transferring into long-term follow-up care 

From 2 to 5 years after cancer treatment has finished, your child or young person will transfer into long-term follow-up care. This is often called the Late Effects Assessment Programme (LEAP). This clinic has more focus on long-term problems that may be the result of the disease or treatment. These problems are often called 'late effects'.

Long-term follow-up is different for everyone

Long-term follow-up is different for everyone who has had cancer, or an illness that needed cancer-like treatment. It will depend on the type of cancer or illness and the treatment your child had. By going to the clinic, the healthcare team can check for any late effects that your child may be at risk of developing. The healthcare team can either prevent or manage any problems that do occur.

It is important to remember that many rangatahi do not develop any long-term problems.

Long-term follow-up after childhood cancer

There are 2 types of long-term follow-up clinics. Both provide the same key follow-up care:

  • LEAP team
  • joint LEAP and shared care

LEAP teams

Your child will see the LEAP team in the following regions:

  • Auckland
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch and the remainder of the South Island

The LEAP team may include a paediatric oncologist, a nurse specialist and a clinical psychologist who is available if your child needs psychosocial support at any stage.

Joint LEAP and shared care

Your child will have long-term follow-up at your local shared care clinic, alternating between a visiting oncologist and your local paediatrician. Psychosocial support is also available if your child needs it.

Treatment summary

When your child is in long-term follow-up, you will receive a copy of their treatment summary. This is sometimes called a 'health passport'. It has all the important details of your child's treatment. This is helpful for any health professional your child might see in the future.

How long follow-up care is needed

This is different for everyone and often depends on:

  • how old your child is
  • what treatment they had
  • whether they have any late effects that are causing health problems, learning problems or other concerns that affect their quality of life

Most rangatahi will no longer need to go to a LEAP clinic once they are adults - somewhere between 18 and 21 years of age. Their health professional and adult health care specialists will continue to see them if necessary.

LEAP team contacts 

Auckland

LEAP@adhb.govt.nz
LEAP Coordinator, Long-Term Follow-up Programme
Starship Blood and Cancer Centre
Starship Children's Health
Private Bag 92024
Auckland 1142

Wellington

LEAP@ccdhb.org.nz
LEAP Coordinator, Late Effects
Paediatric Oncology
Capital and Coast District
Health Board
Private Bag 7902
Riddiford Street, Newtown
Wellington 6021

Christchurch and South Island

LEAP@cdhb.health.nz
LEAP Coordinator
Children's Oncology Late Effects
Dept. of Paediatrics
Christchurch Hospital
Private Bag 4710
Christchurch

Acknowledgements

All the pages in the childhood cancer section of this website have been written by health professionals who work in the field of paediatric oncology. They have been reviewed by the members of the National Child Cancer Network (NZ). Medical information is authorised by the clinical leader of the National Child Cancer Network.

In this section

  • Long-Term Follow-up & Your Health After Childhood Cancer

    Information for rangatahi (young people) who have had cancer treatment. You may have some questions about how to keep well and healthy and what to worry about or not to worry about after finishing your treatment for cancer. 
  • Problems With Your Teeth After Childhood Cancer

    Information for rangatahi (young people) who have had cancer treatment. Some rangatahi who have had certain types of treatment are more likely to have problems with their teeth. It is important to see your dentist regularly - at least once a year. 
  • Thinking & Learning After Childhood Cancer

    Information for rangatahi (young people) who have had cancer treatment. Some people who have had childhood cancer have more difficulty with thinking and learning than their peers. Long-term follow-up care can help identify if there are difficulties and what could help with these. 
  • Your Heart After Childhood Cancer

    Information for rangatahi (young people) who have had cancer treatment. Some childhood cancer treatments can affect your heart. If this happens, having your heart checked is important. 
  • Female Fertility After Childhood Cancer

    Information for rangatahi (young people) who have had cancer treatment. Some cancers and cancer treatments can affect your fertility. Talk to your healthcare team about your individual risk.
  • Male Fertility After Childhood Cancer

    Information for rangatahi (young people) who have had cancer treatment. Some cancers and cancer treatments can cause infertility. Infertility happens when you stop producing sperm or when your sperm is too damaged. Not all cancers and cancer treatments cause infertility.
  • Pregnancy & Heart Health After Childhood Cancer

    Information for rangatahi (young people) who have had cancer treatment. If you are pregnant and have had childhood cancer treatment, there are some special checks you need to have.
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