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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join forces to ensure that children receive the best possible care, at the time of diagnosis and beyond.

Posted on 3 September, 2015 at 1:00

Cancer is a disease that develops when normal body cells change and begin to grow in an abnormal and uncontrolled way. Most cancers in children, like those in adults, are thought to develop as a result of mutations in genes that lead to uncontrolled cell growth and eventually cancer. Most cancers are initially recognized either because of the appearance of signs or symptoms or through screening. Neither of these lead to a definitive diagnosis, which requires the examination of a tissue sample by a pathologist.

The types of cancer that largely affect children include: leukaemias, neuroblastomas, Wilms’ tumours, brain cancers, rhabdomyosarcomas, lymphomas, retinoblastomas, osteosarcomas and Ewing’s sarcomas. People with suspected cancer are investigated with medical tests. These commonly include:

blood tests,
X-rays, CT scans
and endoscopy.

The most common type of childhood cancer is leukemia- a cancer of the blood which begins in the bone marrow, (the spongy substance inside our bones where blood cells are made)The symptoms of these leukemias include:

bone and joint pain,
fatigue, weakness,
pale skin,
bleeding or bruising,
fever,
weight loss,

Brain and central nervous system tumors are the second most common cancers in children. A brain tumor is a mass or growth of abnormal cells in your brain or close to your brain There are many types of brain tumors. The symptoms depend on the location of the tumour, and the treatment and outlook for each is different.

As the tumor grows, it creates pressure on and changes the function of surrounding brain tissue,which causes signs and symptoms, such as:

headaches,
nausea
and balance problems.

It is upsetting for parents, family, and friends when a child is diagnosed with cancer. People around you feel better when they can do something or provide something you or your family needs. It helps them and you.

Allowing people to help you is very important. But it is also important to show your appreciation when others help you, and to be aware they may be juggling busy schedules, too. Let your community know that it is OK to tell you if they can’t do something you ask them to do. It can also help to have someone coordinate such efforts for you. Some research shows that it is not how many things people do for you, but the knowledge that there are people willing to help out that provides the most comfort.

Ask your pediatrition or family doctor about a refferal to children cancer center. Children who have cancer are often treated at a children’s cancer center, which is a hospital or a unit within a hospital that specializes in diagnosing and treating children and adolescents who have cancer. The health professionals at these centers have specific training and expertise to provide comprehensive care for children, adolescents, and their families.

While coping with a cancer diagnosis and managing the treatments is painful and challenging, it is important to remember that the majority of children’s cancer patients survive this frightening disease.

Categories: Diseases