More than 80% of pediatric hematology-oncologists in Belgium conduct research outside of their regular working hours due to a lack of protected time, according to a survey published Wednesday, February 12, 2026, by KickCancer, ahead of International Childhood Cancer Day on February 15th. The organization, which conducted the study with the Belgian Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (BSPHO), warns that this model is fragile, and access to therapeutic innovations largely depends on personal sacrifices.
The survey revealed that 42% of respondents dedicate between two and five hours per week to research after patient consultations, while 29% spend five to ten hours, and 14% devote more than ten hours weekly. KickCancer emphasizes that, in a field where cancers are rare but complex, progress relies heavily on academic research and university clinical trials.
In pediatric oncology, 80 to 90% of Belgian patients are enrolled in an academic clinical study from the time of diagnosis. These trials, according to the organization, “represent the standard of care” as they guarantee access to the latest treatments and standardize the entire therapeutic process. Belgian oncologists currently manage over 50 academic protocols, despite the existence of only 16 major types of pediatric cancers and numerous subtypes.
“When you choose to become a pediatric oncologist, you know it involves long days… but accepting a new project always comes at the cost of our free time. Investing additional time in research is simply not realistic,” said Dr. Barbara De Moerloose (UZ Gent) in a statement. This highlights the challenges faced by clinicians trying to balance patient care with vital research efforts.
Despite these constraints, motivation remains high: 65% of physicians surveyed would recommend the specialty to future colleagues, and 64% would like to dedicate more time to research. Theoretically, 22% of their working time could be allocated to research, but this quota is consumed by clinical workload, on-call duties, and administrative tasks.
“This survey demonstrated the immense motivation of pediatric oncologists but also the current fragility of the system. We cannot accept a situation where innovation depends on personal sacrifices,” commented Delphine Heenen of KickCancer, advocating for structural support to develop “more effective and less toxic” treatments.
The BSPHO also stresses the organizational complexity of the discipline. “In pediatric oncology, the absolute number of patients is lower than in adults, but the complexity is particularly high. Small teams of 3 to 7 physicians must today specialize in all types of tumors… from treatment to relapse. This is hardly sustainable,” explained Pierre Mayeur of the scientific society. This underscores the need for collaborative efforts and resource allocation to address the specialized demands of pediatric cancer care.
Recognizing the need for international collaboration, the authors note that pediatric cancer research requires a supranational approach, with Belgium participating in European working groups to achieve a critical mass of patients. They cite examples from the Netherlands, where 20% of medical time is protected for non-clinical tasks; France, where senior physicians are partially relieved of on-call duties; and the use of master’s-level specialized nurses to alleviate the workload of oncologists.
In response, KickCancer announced a new grant, launching in 2025 in collaboration with the FNRS and FWO. The grant will allow two pediatric oncologists to dedicate 50% of their clinical time to research. The hospital of the laureate will receive compensation of €70,000 to recruit a half-time physician, while up to €10,000 for “bench fees” will fund materials or scientific travel. Laureates will be announced at the end of May 2026, with a total investment of €320,000 over two years and the possibility of renewal for up to ten years.
KickCancer and the BSPHO have also jointly submitted recommendations for the future National Cancer Plan, requesting structural funding for academic trials, recognition of a national multidisciplinary oncology consultation in pediatric oncology, and funding for the BSPHO’s coordination cell.
“Anyone who wants to improve the treatments offered to children with cancer cannot rely on the voluntary overtime of doctors. This model is simply not sustainable,” KickCancer concluded. The call for systemic change emphasizes the importance of dedicated resources and support to advance pediatric cancer care and research.
