Andorra Childhood Cancer Rates Stable at 1.5 Cases Per Year

**Childhood cancer incidence in Andorra remains stable at 1.5 cases per year among children aged 0-14**

Dr Josep Estrada, head of paediatrics at the Andorran Health Care Service (SAAS), confirmed on International Childhood Cancer Day that childhood cancer rates in the Principality have remained consistent over time, matching levels in neighbouring countries.

In remarks to *El Periòdic*, Estrada explained that apparent global increases in industrialised nations mainly reflect improved detection methods. He emphasised positive prognoses, with survival rates exceeding 80% at five years after diagnosis.

Andorra records 140 to 155 cases per million children in this age group, translating to about 1.5 cases each year, or three every two years. Leukaemias and lymphomas, linked to blood and immune system cells, are the most frequent, alongside central nervous system tumours as the leading solid malignancy. These types make up over 70% of cases among children and young people.

Estrada drew attention to underappreciated influences from parental behaviour, such as exposure to alcohol, tobacco, environmental toxins, chemicals, inactivity, unhealthy eating and stress. These may damage genetic material, heightening risks for children—especially from six months before conception through pregnancy and early years. He also noted rising parental age at conception as a factor.

Patients typically travel to specialist facilities in Catalonia, including Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (via a 2014 agreement), Hospital Vall d'Hebron and Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. Estrada described the strain of extended absences, including emotional distress for children and families, plus logistical, financial, educational and organisational hurdles.

He urged continuous review of care processes to direct resources effectively, building on CASS coverage for diagnostics and overseas treatments. Estrada proposed a unified official registry for childhood tumours and a publicly funded entity to handle families' medical and psychosocial requirements, while bolstering social, workplace and school support.

An *El Periòdic* editorial echoed these points, praising stable figures and high survival but warning against complacency. It called parental lifestyle prevention a public policy priority, backed by evidence-based campaigns, and described a dedicated registry and coordinating body as a moral imperative amid reliance on Catalan centres.

Estrada outlined broader challenges, including better diagnostics and treatment access in developing nations (where survival falls below 20%), genetic research for personalised therapies and improved long-term care for survivors facing potential late effects.