September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a month designated to call attention to this condition which deeply affects families across the world. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 15,000 children and adolescents ages 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States and 1,590 will die of the disease. Pediatric cancers are the leading cause of death from disease of children and adolescents. The cause of most pediatric cancers remains unknown.
Many cancers in children are found early, either by a child’s doctor or by parents or relatives. Cancers in children, however, can be hard to recognize in early stages because symptoms are often like those caused by much more common illnesses or injuries. Children often get sick or have bumps or bruises that might mask the early signs of cancer.
Cancer in children is not common, but it is important to have your children examined by a doctor if they have unusual signs or symptoms that do not go away, such as these listed by the American Cancer Society:
If your child has any of these symptoms, see a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed. Other symptoms are also possible, depending on the type of cancer. More information on common symptoms for specific types of childhood cancer can be found in Types of Cancer that Develop in Children.
On a positive note, medical advances mean many childhood cancers are highly treatable. The American Association for Cancer Research reports that pediatric cancer death rates have declined by almost 70 percent over the past 4 decades. According to the National Cancer Institute, as of January 1, 2020 (the most recent date for which data are available), approximately 495,739 survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer (diagnosed at ages 0 to 19 years) were estimated to be alive in the U.S. The number of survivors will continue to increase, given that the incidence of cancer in children and adolescents has been rising slightly in recent decades and that survival rates overall are improving.
Among this growing group of survivors is Raeleigh Jane McCartha, daughter of Rachel and Josh McCartha. Raeleigh Jane’s father is employed with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). Raeleigh Jane was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and serious form of childhood cancer, at 15 months of age in 2016. Following successful treatment, the family feels richly blessed she is thriving and will turn 10 in October.
To reduce the risk of cancer as your children grow older, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends parents consider these tips to reduce their kids’ risk of cancer as adults.
The ADPH is a member of the Alabama Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition. The coalition’s vision, mission, special programs, and information about joining are described on this website. If you are interested in reducing the impact and burden of cancer in Alabama, please consider joining.
Scott Harris, M.D., M.P.H.
State Health Officer