Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

*TogetherMed is not offering any medical advice

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about cancers that affect children and teens. While cancer is more common in adults, children and adolescents can develop cancer too.

Learning about childhood cancer is important because understanding health conditions can help us become more informed about our own health and better understand what other people may be going through.

What Is Childhood Cancer?

Cancer happens when cells in the body begin to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. Normally, cells grow, divide, and eventually die when they are no longer needed. Cancer occurs when this process doesn't work the way it should.

There isn't just one type of childhood cancer. Some of the most common types include leukemia, brain and spinal cord tumors, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, and bone cancers.

Childhood cancers can also be different from the cancers that are most common in adults. Because children and teens are still growing, cancer and its treatment can affect their developing bodies in different ways.

How Common Is Childhood Cancer?

Childhood cancer is relatively rare, but thousands of children in the United States are diagnosed each year.

Cancer is the leading cause of death from disease among children, which makes continued research and access to treatment especially important.

At the same time, there has been significant progress in treating childhood cancer. More than 80% of children with cancer in the United States now survive at least five years after diagnosis. This is a major improvement compared with decades ago.

However, survival rates can vary depending on the type of cancer, and some cancers are still very difficult to treat. Researchers continue to work on finding better and safer treatments.

What Are Some Signs of Childhood Cancer?

Cancer can have many different symptoms, and having one of these symptoms does not mean someone has cancer. Many of them can also be caused by common illnesses or other conditions.

Some possible signs can include:

• Unexplained or ongoing weight loss

• Extreme or persistent tiredness

• Unusual lumps or swelling

• Frequent or unexplained bruising

• Ongoing pain in the bones or joints

• Frequent headaches, especially with vomiting

• Changes in vision

• A fever that doesn't go away

• Changes in the appearance of the eye

• Pale skin or unusual paleness

  
  

Because these symptoms can have many different causes, it's important not to diagnose yourself based on something you read online. If you or someone you know has a health concern that doesn't go away, talking to a parent, guardian, school nurse, or healthcare professional is a better place to start.

What Is Treatment Like?

Treatment depends on the type of cancer and the individual patient. Some common treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Treatment can be physically and emotionally difficult, especially for children and teens. It can mean missing school, being away from friends, changing daily routines, or dealing with side effects.

That's why treating childhood cancer isn't only about treating the cancer itself. Supporting a young person's mental health, education, friendships, and overall well-being is also important.

How Can Cancer Affect Students and Teens?

Imagine having to miss weeks or months of school because of treatment. You might not be able to play your sport, hang out with friends, or participate in activities you normally enjoy.

For students with cancer, staying connected with their school and friends can be an important part of maintaining a sense of normalcy.

If someone at your school is going through cancer treatment, you don't need to know exactly what to say or do. Simple things like checking in, including them in conversations, sending them classwork, or letting them know you're thinking about them can make a difference.

Most importantly, remember that a person with cancer is still a person first. Cancer is only one part of their life.

Why Is Childhood Cancer Awareness Important?

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month gives us a chance to learn about something that doesn't always get talked about.

For students, health education isn't just about learning how to prevent illness. It's also about understanding different health conditions, knowing when to ask for help, and developing empathy for people whose health experiences may be different from our own.

There is still a lot researchers don't know about childhood cancer, and more research is needed to develop better treatments and improve the lives of survivors.

This September, take some time to learn about childhood cancer and share what you learn with others. A little more health knowledge can help us become more informed students, friends, and members of our communities.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month isn't just about knowing that childhood cancer exists. It's about understanding it, supporting those affected by it, and continuing to learn how we can improve children's health.