Childhood cancer and LEAP

LEAP is a programme to help children and young people with any long-term health problems they may have after their cancer treatment has finished.

What is LEAP?

The Long Term Assessment Programme (LEAP) is a continuation of the follow-up care your child received at their cancer treatment centre.

undefined The LEAP team includes your child's oncologist, a nurse specialist with knowledge of late effects of cancer treatment and a clinical psychologist who is available if your child has need of psychosocial support at any stage.

The LEAP programme is endorsed by the Paediatric Society of NZ, the Starship Foundation and the National Child Cancer Network.

What are late effects?

During treatment, your child's oncologist and nurse will have talked to you or your child about the specific long-term effects that may occur from the disease or treatment your child was having.

At that time, because the aim was giving your child the best chance of surviving, you probably did not think too much about these late effects. After treatment is completed checking for late effects becomes more important.

Certain chemotherapy drugs, radiotherapy and/or surgery, as well as the disease your child had, may cause late effects. These depend on:

the age your child was during treatment
the type of cancer and treatment they had
the type and doses of the specific treatments used (eg, chemotherapy, radiotherapy)
the site of the treatment (eg, radiotherapy, surgery).

How long does my child need to keep coming to the clinic?

undefined This is different for everyone. It depends on how old they are, what treatment they had and whether they have any late effects causing them health problems, learning problems or other concerns that affect their quality of life.

Most young people are usually discharged between 18 and 21 years of age.

Learn more

Late effects assessment programme (LEAP) KidsHealth, NZ
American childhood cancer organisation US
Children's cancer and leukaemia group UK

Resources

Support

Regional LEAP coordinators:

Auckland: LEAP@adhb.govt.nz
Wellington: LEAP@ccdhb.org.nz
Christchurch & South Island: Leap@cdhb.govt.nz

Cancer Chat NZ

Phone Healthline for free on 0800 611 116 any time of the day or night for advice on any health issue, no matter how small. In an emergency, phone 111 for an ambulance.

More cancer support groups

Brochures

Late Effects Assessment Programme (LEAP)

Resources	Information & links
	Introducing LEAP – long-term follow up for childhood cancer Webpage and brochure pdf Paediatric Society of NZ, Starship Foundation & National Child Cancer Network, NZ, 2013 The LEAP team includes your oncologist, a nurse specialist who has knowledge of late effects of cancer treatment and a clinical psychologist who is available if you need psychosocial support at any stage.
	About LEAP – long-term follow up for childhood cancer Webpage and brochure pdf Paediatric Society of NZ, Starship Foundation & National Child Cancer Network, NZ, 2013 LEAP (Late Effects Assessment Programme) is a continuation of the follow-up care you received in your cancer treatment centre. Find answers to questions such as: What are the late effects and why should I come to the clinic? How long do I need to keep going to the LEAP clinic?
	Your health – long-term follow up for childhood cancer Webpage and brochure pdf Paediatric Society of NZ, Starship Foundation & National Child Cancer Network, NZ, 2013 When you have finished treatment for cancer, or an illness for which you had similar treatment, you may start having questions about how to keep well and healthy and what to worry about or not to worry about. Find answers to questions such as: Will the cancer come back or am I at risk for another cancer? Who should I tell I have had cancer? What can I do to keep healthy?
	Your heart – long-term follow up for childhood cancer Webpage and brochure pdf Paediatric Society of NZ, Starship Foundation & National Child Cancer Network, NZ, 2013 If you have had anthracycline chemotherapy or radiation to your chest this information is important for you to know. Find answers to questions such as: What are the chemotherapy drugs that can affect my heart? How do the anthracycline drugs affect my heart? How does radiation to the chest affect my heart? How will I know if my heart is affected? What are the possible signs and symptoms of a heart problem?
	Fertility and sexuality in males – long-term follow up for childhood cancer Webpage and brochure pdf Paediatric Society of NZ, Starship Foundation & National Child Cancer Network, NZ, 2013 Not all cancers and cancer treatments cause infertility, but some do, so it is important to understand your individual risks. Infertility occurs when you stop producing sperm or when your sperm is too damaged. Find answers to questions such as: Will I be infertile from cancer or treatment I had? How do I know if this is a problem for me? Will my baby have cancer? What about my sex life? Should I use contraceptives?
	Fertility and sexuality in females – long-term follow up for childhood cancer Webpage and brochure pdf Paediatric Society of NZ, Starship Foundation & National Child Cancer Network, NZ, 2013 Not all cancers and cancer treatments can affect your fertility, but some do, so it is important to understand your individual risks. You may not be able to become pregnant and have children or you may have reduced fertility (more difficulty in conceiving) due to reduced stores of eggs. Certain treatments may also cause early menopause. Find answers to questions such as: If I become pregnant, do I need to do anything different? Will I be infertile from cancer or treatment I had? How do I know if this is a problem for me? Will my baby have cancer? What about my sex life? Should I use contraceptives?
	Thinking and learning – ;long-term follow up for childhood cancer Webpage and brochure pdf Paediatric Society of NZ, Starship Foundation & National Child Cancer Network, NZ, 2013 As part of this assessment, the clinical psychologist will ask your child about their thinking and learning (cognitive) ability, and if there are any concerns, a further assessment may occur. This is called a neuropsychological assessment. Find answers to questions such as: What causes thinking and learning (cognitive) difficulties? Which areas are most likely to be affected? What is the purpose of a neuropsychological assessment? What does a neuropsychological assessment involve? What happens after a neuropsychological assessment?
	Dental problems – long-term follow up for childhood cancer Webpage and brochure pdf Paediatric Society of NZ, Starship Foundation & National Child Cancer Network, NZ, 2013 Caring for your child’s teeth is important whether they have had treatment for cancer or not. Certain types of treatment are more likely to result in problems. Find answers to questions such as: Does my child need to take special care of their teeth? Does my child need to take special precautions when having dental work done?