TOPIC: Childhood Cancers

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

Finding out that a son or daughter has cancer is a terrifying nightmare that thousands of parents face each year. Currently, one in 330 children in the United States is diagnosed with cancer before the age of 19. Every year, approximately 8,600 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States and 1,500 children die from the disease. There are 12 major types of childhood cancer, but different types of leukemia, brain, and other central nervous system tumors account for more than half of all new cases. The National Cancer Institute is currently funding studies that look at the causes of, and most effective treatments for, childhood cancers. Some of these include projects to improve the health status of cancer survivors and clinical trials to identify effective new treatments for childhood cancers.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Risk can be hard to determine, but ethnicity and genetics can play a role. For example, childhood leukemia rates are highest among Filipinos, followed by white Hispanics, non-Hispanic whites, and African Americans.

Families with a history of certain types of cancer should inform their pediatricians. The pediatrician may recommend genetic counseling. Children with a known genetic link to a certain cancer will not necessarily develop it, but it is crucial that health care providers are aware of this so that they can closely monitor the child's health.

Unfortunately, most causes of cancers in children are simply not known. However, the Children's Oncology Group, a National Cancer Institute-supported clinical trials cooperative group, is currently evaluating potential risk factors for a variety of childhood cancers.

CAN IT BE PREVENTED?

Since the causes of childhood cancer causes are mainly unknown, there are few prevention measures to offer. But, in general, parents are encouraged to keep their children away from all chemicals and poisons.

THE BOTTOM LINE

More children than ever are surviving childhood cancer. Over the last 30 years, survival into adulthood increased from 30 percent to 80 percent. Increased enrollment by children in clinical trials has contributed to this progress. Also, there are new and better drugs and methods to help children deal with the side effects of treatment. Children who have had cancer now have a better quality of life throughout childhood and into adulthood with fewer long-term health problems following treatment.

Yet, some children are still diagnosed with terminal, incurable cancer, and parents are faced with tough decisions. They must decide where and how to care for their child. Parents must often choose between hospital care, home care, or hospice care. In addition, they can elect to use special machines and treatments to prolong their child's life and/or to make him or her more comfortable.

CASE EXAMPLES

Leticia is six years old. Her parents want to try a new treatment for her cancer, but their insurance company is refusing to pay for it. They try to pay for it out-of-pocket, but the bills are stacking up; they have already accumulated close to $100,000 of debt and have taken out a second mortgage on their home. In addition to coping with all the issues surrounding Leticia's cancer, the family is struggling with the insurance company to try to ease this astronomical burden on their finances. It is jeopardizing the family's long-term financial health. They're greatly relieved to find out that the National Cancer Institute, as well as other government agencies, will cover the cost of treatment for people enrolled in trials of certain experimental new treatments.

Jarrod is eight years old when his older brother is diagnosed with cancer. He must now deal with the sadness of his younger brother's disease as well as his own problems. He feels guilty that he is healthy while his brother is so sick. Jarrod begins to withdraw in school and gets serious headaches. This puts more strain on his parents, as they must cope not only with their son's cancer but also with Jarrod, who now feels depressed and neglected. Counseling is available to assist cancer patients and their families struggling with a cancer diagnosis.

Ten-year-old Caelan, who is being treated for cancer, is able to return to school. But she has lost her hair during chemotherapy treatment and is embarrassed to go back. Her parents buy her cute hats and scarves to wear, but she's still embarrassed. She feels like her classmates look at her funny. Once a very extroverted child, she begins to seclude herself from her peers and her grades plummet. One day, a few weeks after she returns to school, she reports to her PE class. As the girls enter the gym, she notices something -- each one has shaved her head. Speechless, she stands there as each girl walks up to her and gives her a hug.

Shireen has a tough choice to make. Her 5-year-old son, Charlie, has been diagnosed with leukemia. Although his prognosis is good, she struggles with whether to tell him that he has cancer. She knows he senses that something is wrong. He does not feel good and has undergone numerous tests. Her husband is still in denial about their son's diagnosis and is unable to provide much support. So Shireen speaks with her doctor, who recommends that Shireen tell Charlie. It is better to be open and honest with him about his condition, and it will help ease the guilt and stress that Shireen is feeling. The doctor also feels that telling Charlie will probably get him to respond better to treatment. Shireen decides to tell him. First, she speaks with her husband and then they sit down together with Charlie, who is very upset. He thinks he has done something wrong to get cancer. They reassure him that it is not his fault and they decide to join a support group for families and children with cancer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Cancer Information Service
http://cis.nci.nih.gov/
1-800-4-CANCER

Children's Oncology Group
www.childrensoncologygroup.org

National Childhood Cancer Foundation
www.nccf.org

###

Back to Top