September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to recognize children and families affected by cancer, honor those who have lost their lives, celebrate survivors, and support the research that continues to improve childhood cancer treatment.
Cancer is difficult at any age, but childhood cancer can be especially devastating because children are still growing, learning, and developing their futures. Fortunately, enormous progress has been made in pediatric cancer treatment. Today, about 85% of children diagnosed with cancer in the United States survive at least five years, compared with approximately 58% in the mid-1970s.
Still, there is much more work to be done.
What Is Childhood Cancer?
Childhood cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and interfere with normal tissues and organs. Unlike many cancers that are more common in adults, childhood cancers are often cancers of developing tissues and blood-forming cells.
The National Cancer Institute reports that the three most common categories of cancer among children ages 0–14 are leukemias, brain and other central nervous system tumors, and lymphomas.
Leukemia
Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer. It develops in the blood-forming tissues, particularly the bone marrow, where abnormal blood cells are produced.
The most common forms in children are acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). ALL is particularly common among younger children.
Treatment may include chemotherapy, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, radiation in certain situations, or stem cell transplantation, depending on the specific cancer.
The outlook for children with ALL has improved dramatically. The five-year survival rate for children diagnosed with ALL reached approximately 92% during 2014–2020.
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Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors
Brain and central nervous system tumors are the second major category of childhood cancers. These tumors can develop in different areas of the brain or spinal cord, and their symptoms and treatment vary considerably depending on their location and type.
Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, or combinations of these approaches.
Because the brain controls so many aspects of a child’s development and functioning, treatment teams also pay close attention to learning, movement, communication, and emotional well-being.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma develops in the lymphatic system, which is an important part of the immune system.
The two major categories are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Lymphoma is more common in older children and adolescents than in very young children.
Other childhood cancers include neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor (kidney cancer), bone cancers such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, retinoblastoma, liver tumors, and several rare cancers.
Can Childhood Cancer Be Prevented?
This is one of the most important questions parents ask—and the answer may be surprising.
Most childhood cancers cannot currently be prevented.
Researchers believe that many childhood cancers result from genetic changes that occur as cells develop. Some genetic changes are inherited, while others happen spontaneously. The causes of most of these changes remain unknown.
The American Cancer Society estimates that only about 1 in 12 childhood cancers are caused by inherited gene changes. For most children who develop cancer, there is no known risk factor and no specific action their parents could have taken to prevent it.
This is important because parents sometimes wonder whether their child’s diet, activities, or something they were exposed to caused the cancer. In most cases, there is simply no evidence to support that conclusion.
There are, however, a few known or suspected risk factors that can be addressed.
Reducing unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation, avoiding tobacco smoke, and following recommended vaccination guidelines can contribute to overall cancer prevention and health. Certain infections can increase cancer risk, and vaccines such as hepatitis B and HPV vaccination can help prevent cancers later in life.
For children with a known inherited cancer-predisposition syndrome, doctors may recommend specialized screening or other preventive measures.
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What Can Parents Do to Help Protect Their Children?
Although parents cannot prevent most childhood cancers, they can play an important role in their children’s overall health.
1. Pay attention to persistent changes
Childhood cancer is rare, and many symptoms associated with cancer can also be caused by common childhood illnesses.
However, parents should talk with their child’s pediatrician about symptoms that are persistent, unusual, worsening, or difficult to explain. Depending on the type of cancer, potential warning signs can include unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, unusual bruising or bleeding, ongoing pain, persistent headaches, changes in vision, unexplained lumps or swelling, prolonged fever, or changes in a child’s normal behavior or physical abilities.
A symptom does not mean a child has cancer. The goal is simply to make sure concerning symptoms receive appropriate medical attention.
2. Know your family’s medical history
Some childhood cancers are associated with inherited genetic changes. If several family members have had certain types of cancer or if a child has a known genetic condition associated with cancer risk, parents should discuss the family history with their pediatrician.
A doctor may recommend consultation with a genetic counselor when appropriate.
3. Build healthy habits
Healthy eating, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and avoiding tobacco smoke are valuable for children’s overall health and can help establish habits that reduce the risk of several diseases later in life.
But parents should not think of healthy living as a way to guarantee protection from childhood cancer. A child can eat a nutritious diet, exercise, and have a healthy lifestyle and still develop cancer.
4. Support your child’s emotional health
For families facing a cancer diagnosis, emotional support is just as important as medical treatment.
Parents can help by maintaining routines whenever possible, communicating honestly in an age-appropriate way, allowing children to express their fears and feelings, and involving them in appropriate decisions about their care.
Siblings may also need support because cancer affects the entire family.
The National Cancer Institute recommends resources that can help families communicate with children, support siblings, and navigate the many challenges that accompany diagnosis and treatment.
Organizations Helping Fight Childhood Cancer
Families and supporters don’t have to face childhood cancer alone. Numerous organizations are working to advance research, improve treatment, and provide resources to children and their families. Links are provided in each underlined sentence where you can go to donate.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is one of the best-known organizations involved in pediatric cancer research and treatment. St. Jude conducts research into childhood cancers and provides treatment to children regardless of a family’s ability to pay. The organization reports that its work has helped push overall childhood cancer survival in the United States from about 20% when it opened in 1962 to more than 80% today.
Children’s Oncology Group (COG) is a major pediatric cancer research network involving hundreds of hospitals and thousands of researchers, clinicians, and specialists. COG conducts clinical trials and research covering leukemia, brain tumors, lymphomas, neuroblastoma, kidney tumors, bone tumors, soft-tissue sarcomas, and other childhood cancers.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation was inspired by Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who began raising money for childhood cancer research through a lemonade stand while battling neuroblastoma. Today, the organization funds pediatric cancer research and provides support to families. It reports having funded more than 1,500 research projects and supported more than 15,000 childhood cancer families.
How You Can Help During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Awareness can take many forms. You can donate to childhood cancer research, participate in a fundraising event, share reliable information, support a family going through treatment, volunteer, or simply take the time to learn more about pediatric cancer.
Perhaps most importantly, remember that behind every statistic is a child and a family.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is not only about cancer. It is about hope, research, support, survivorship, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to grow up and live a healthy, fulfilling life.
Medical research has already transformed childhood cancer from a frequently fatal diagnosis into one where the majority of children survive. Continued research, earlier recognition of concerning symptoms, access to specialized pediatric cancer care, and support for families can help move that number even higher.
References
- National Cancer Institute. Childhood Cancers.
- National Cancer Institute. Cancer in Children and Adolescents.
- American Cancer Society. Childhood Cancer Key Statistics.
- American Cancer Society. Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention of Cancer in Children.
- World Health Organization. Childhood Cancer.
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Best wishes and cheers to your better health!
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