There has been a significant increase – from 50 to 80 percent – in the number of children surviving cancer in Denmark and Sweden.
The news follows a long-standing collaborative effort between Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen and Skåne Universitetssjukhus in Lund.
The exchange in knowledge, staff and patients over a 30-year period means eight in ten children now survive the disease.
"Whereas before we were able to cure 50 percent of cases, we are now curing 80 percent," a professor of child diseases at Rigshospitalet, Kjeld Schmiegelow, said in an official press release.
"The more we work together, the higher the chance a child has of benefiting."
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Cancer is biggest medical killer
Meanwhile, cancer has been revealed to be the biggest killer of children in medical terms. Up to 22 percent of child deaths are caused by cancer.
"It is the most frequent medical cause of death. There is no miracle cure," said Schmiegelow.
"Through more and more collaboration, we can ensure knowledge and research conducted at Rigshospitalet will benefit patients in Lund and vice-versa."
Awarded for efforts
The two involved departments, known together as SOHO, received an award from Region Hovedstaden and Region Skåne for their efforts.
The so-called Øresund Award is awarded to cutting edge collaborations in health research and treatment.
