Here are the signs and symptoms of cancer in children : Cancer can strike anyone, anytime, including young children. There is nothing scarier than learning the fact that your child has cancer. Childhood and adolescent cancer, although rare, is threatening to overtake infectious diseases, as one of the highest causes of disease-related mortality in children globally. According to WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), globally there are more than 300,000 children diagnosed with cancer each year. To raise awareness and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, survivors and their families, every year, February 15 is celebrated as International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD). The event highlights the need for concerted global actions to address the growing challenge posed by this non-communicable disease.
today is International Childhood Cancer Day 2018
Although the number of children with cancer is much less compared to the global incidence of adult cancers, the number of lives saved is significantly higher. With access to quality care, more than 80% of children with cancer can survive, living full and healthy lives. However, many children in low-income and middle-income countries do not receive complete care, and, as a result, over 90% of childhood cancer deaths occur in low resource settings.
The ICCD is a day to come together to continue the work to make childhood cancer a national and global child health priority. The global event also spotlights the need for more equitable and better access to treatment and care for all children with cancer, everywhere.
Childhood cancer continues to be the leading cause of non-communicable related death in children throughout the world. While most cancers in children are often curable, too many kids and adolescents lack access to life-saving essential medicines and appropriate treatment. Hence, a global response is needed to give every child the best chance of surviving cancer free – such as raising awareness, improving access, offering the best possible treatment, palliative care and support for children with cancer and their families. The WHO has highlighted the importance of diagnosing childhood cancer early and improving access to treatment for children and adolescents with cancer.
Signs and symptoms of cancer in children
Unlike many cancers in adults, childhood cancers are not strongly linked to lifestyle or environmental risk factors. Therefore, it can be difficult to detect cancer in children. Moreover, the symptoms of childhood cancer are often similar to those of typical childhood illnesses, such as the common cold, and they vary between children. However, the Cancer Research UK recommends seeing a doctor if your child develops the following symptoms:
- Not able to urinate, or has blood discharge during urination
- An unexplained lump, firmness or swelling anywhere in their body
- Persistent abdominal pain or swelling
- Back pain that doesn’t go away
- Unexplained seizures or changes in behavior
- Headaches that don’t go away
- Frequent or unexplained bruising, unusual paleness or a rash of small red or purple spots that can’t be explained
- Unexplained bleeding
- Feeling tired all the time
- Frequent infections or flu-like symptoms
- Unexplained fever (high temperatures) or sweating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Been feeling short of breath, or they have been breathing quickly
- Changes in appearance of the eye or unusual eye reflections in photos
Sometimes, children with cancer may not show any of the above symptoms. And if you are concerned about any changes, you must talk with your child’s doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed. Perhaps, if cancer is diagnosed, relieving symptoms is the most important part of care and treatment.
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