Young people's experience of cancer care

What's your experience of cancer care for someone under 16?

Every year the NHS conducts a survey of patients, and the families and carers of patients under the age of 16 who've had recent care following a cancer diagnosis.

The survey measures the experience of children and young people in care and treatment for cancer. This survey builds on the success of the bigger National Cancer Patient Experience Survey but recognises that cancer care pathways and care priorities for children often differ to adults, and therefore a unique approach is required to understand their experiences of the care and treatment they receive.

The results from the survey provide national-level insight into those experiences and will inform how the NHS delivers cancer services in future.

The surveys are being sent by post from April 2026 to those who received cancer-related care and treatment in 2025, with the results due for release in autumn 2026.

If you receive a survey, please take a bit of time to reflect on the care and treatment you or the one you care for has received, good or bad. This is your opportunity to help shape, improve and enhance services in the future.

NHS England is working with Picker to deliver this survey. For more information, visit www.under16cancerexperiencesurvey.co.uk.

The NHS has produced a video to explain more