As a parent, one of the most devastating things you can hear is that your child has been diagnosed with cancer. It is a fear which lives in the back of many parents' minds, and there is not much that can be done to prevent it. This article will give an overview of childhood cancer, from key facts to treatment options.
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Childhood Cancer Concerns People from Birth to Age 20.
According to the Childrens Cancer Research fund, about 1 out of 285 children will develop cancer before their 20th birthday.
Cancer in Children is Different than in Adults
The parts of the body where cancer develops initially is different in children than in adults. In children, cancer often relates to the nervous system.
We Don't Fully Understand the Causes of Childhood Cancer
Children of all ages, races, and economic backgrounds develop cancer. While a small number of cases are genetic, no one knows the precise cause.
Early Detection Saves Lives
To battle childhood cancer, an early diagnosis can be pivotal. This requires parents and adults to:
- Be aware of symptoms of childhood cancer,
- Be willing to discuss changes in their child with a doctor,
- Take their child in for a clinical evaluation to determine the type and stage,
- Have access to treatment right away.
What is Childhood Cancer?
"Cancer" is not a single disease. It is a group of diseases which involve the rapid growth or development of abnormal cells in the body. In a healthy body, as cells age and die, they are replaced by new cells. In the case of cancer, injured or old cells will continue to replicate until they form a tumor.
In children, the most common forms of cancer involve the brain, the spinal cord, the nervous system, the immune system, the bones, and the blood. The causes behind this are not clear to researchers at the moment, but a small number of cases have been linked to genetic abnormalities. As far as we know, children are not as affected by preventable cancers, such as oral cancer, as adults are.
How is Childhood Cancer Detected and Diagnosed?
Treatment Plan and Side Effects
Types of Treatments and What to Expect
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