Cancer is one of the leading causes of deathin both children and adolescents. Statistics report that every year, around300,000 children below 19 years of age are diagnosed with cancer.
Unfortunately, there are no widely recommendedscreening tests that can help detect cancer before it has developed. What makesmatters worse is that the early signs and symptoms of cancer in children arehighly non-specific. Especially considering the fact that children get injuredand fall sick all the time. In most cases, a parent’s worst nightmare is onlyconfirmed as an incidental finding.

 Although it is nearly impossible to know who will develop cancer, the presence of certain factors does elevate a child’s risk of developing the disease. These risk factors include the presence of an immediate family member with cancer and some faulty genes that may have been inherited from the parents.

Contrary to popular belief, there is very little evidence that ties the consumption of certain foods and habits to the development of cancer in children. Instead, research points to genetics as one of the main culprits. Children that have a higher risk of cancer are then closely monitored with the help of special tests and medical check-ups to detect early signs and symptoms of the disease.

As scary as it may sound, the good news is that in 80% of the cases, where medical help is readily available, most children are completely cured! In fact, most childhood cancers have high rates of remission and can be cured using medication and at times surgery. Early detection, although difficult, is a huge factor that drastically improves survival rates. The timely provision of treatment and continuing treatment until fruition are also important steps for battling this disease successfully.

Signs and Symptoms of cancer in children

Although Cancer symptoms are generally non-specific and rather hard to pinpoint, especially for non-medical individuals, there are some signs that you as a parent should always look out for. These can be shortened to form the acronym CHILDCANCER, and are as follows:-

• Continuous and inexplicable weight loss and loss of appetite
• Headaches, that are often accompanied by early morning nausea and vomiting
• Increase in swelling and/or continuous pain in the joints, bones, legs, or back
• Lump, swelling, or mass on the body. especially in the chest, neck, abdomen, armpits, or pelvis area
• Development of a new rash, or excessive bruising, or bleeding
• Constant, or frequent, infections and illness that the child does not seem to be recovering from
• A whitish discoloration behind the pupil of the eye
• Nausea, or vomiting without nausea persistently
• Constant fatigue and noticeable pallor
• Eye changes or vision changes that are persistent and have developed suddenly
• Recurring and persistent fevers with an unknown cause

Other symptoms that may develop due to cancer are related to the type of cancer and its location. Cancer in the lungs is more likely to produce shortness of breath and various other breathing issues, whereas cancer in the gut can lead to GI bleeding or other gut-related symptoms.

There are also certain cancers that are found more in children, these include:-

• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
• Neuroblastoma
• Wilms Tumour
• Lymphoma.

If someone in the family has had one of thesetypes of childhood cancers, there is an increased likelihood for other childrento develop it as well. Therefore, remembering the signs and symptoms of thesecancers is crucial.

If your child is exhibiting any of the aforementionedsymptoms, it is highly suggested for you to get them examined by a qualifiedhealthcare professional. Remember, early detection is the key to beating thisterrible disease.