Childhood cancer is devastating for children as well as those who care for them. It affects the growth and development of a child since instead of focusing on their younger years in school, playing and socializing with other children, their focus is on their medication and think how long will they still live. Aside from this, parents too face many challenges as they may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what the future holds to their children. Seeking support for their child’s survival and treatment can be very hard too. Hence, the month of September yearly, is celebrated as International Childhood Awareness Month to raise support, funding, and awareness of childhood cancers and the impact for sufferers and their families.
The most common type of cancers that occur often in children are leukemia, brain and spinal cord tumors, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, retinoblastoma and bone cancer. Other types of cancers are rare in children, but they do happen sometimes. In rarer cases, children may even develop cancers that are more common in adults. Causes of these cancers are hard to determine but some are caused by rare inherited conditions. Some research says that environmental exposures such as second-hand cigarette smoke, electrical power lines, cell phones and chemical exposures in pregnant moms can also be a factor in acquiring childhood cancers.
Types of treatment that a child with cancer receives will depend on the type of cancer and how advanced it is. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and stem cell transplant. As a parent or guardian of a child, you can help them reduce their cancer risk by teaching your family members some healthy habits. Inspire them to maintain a healthy body weight through exercising and to eat healthy such as eating a diet with fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein and limiting the amount of sugary, fried and processed foods. Protect their skin also from the sun by using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher in a daily basis and prevent them from exposure to cigarette smoke.
Children are important in nation building. They are recognized as great contributors in the community and the nation’s success. Protecting them against any harm and diseases should begin as early as they are in their mother’s womb. Remember that healthy children are more likely to become healthy adults and healthy adults makes a healthy nation.
NO I Angelica O. Pajulas
References:
1. Types of cancer that develop in children from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-in-children/types-of-childhood-cancers.html
2. Protect your child from cancer in adulthood from https://www.chla.org/blog/rn-remedies/protect-your-child-from-cancer-adulthood-four-lifestyle-tips
