Childhood Cancer Awareness: What Families Need to Know

Childhood cancer affects one in 285 children before age 20, creating significant emotional challenges for families, but evidence-based family therapy and psychosocial support help parents and siblings develop effective coping strategies while navigating diagnosis, treatment, and recovery processes.

Every parent's worst fear becomes reality for one in 285 families, but childhood cancer awareness can change outcomes—and so can the right emotional support. Here's what families need to know about recognition, treatment, and finding hope through the journey.

Childhood Cancer Awareness: Essential Information for Families and Communities

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to increasing understanding of childhood cancer’s unique symptoms and presentations. Children of all ages can develop many of the same cancers that affect adults, making early detection, prompt diagnosis, and appropriate support crucial for families facing this challenge. Even if you’re not directly caring for a child, understanding childhood cancer helps you raise awareness and advocate for this important cause in your community.

This article explores childhood cancer care, risk factors, common pediatric cancers, treatment approaches, survival rates, and support resources.

The Prevalence of Childhood Cancer

Thanks to medical advances, 85% of childhood cancer patients now survive more than five years after diagnosis, a significant improvement from just 58% in the 1970s. However, challenges remain. According to the American Childhood Cancer Society, one in 285 children will receive a cancer diagnosis before turning 20, with approximately 400,000 children worldwide diagnosed annually – one child every 80 seconds.

Organizations like the American Childhood Cancer Organization advocate for awareness through programs such as the Gold Ribbon Heroes Program and various fundraising initiatives. These efforts are vital for highlighting childhood cancer statistics and advancing treatment options.

Most Common Types of Childhood Cancer

The American Cancer Society identifies several prevalent childhood cancers:

Leukemia

These bone marrow and blood cancers account for 28% of all childhood cancers. The two most common types in children are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).

Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors

These represent over 25% of childhood cancers, making them the second most common form. Unlike adult brain tumors that typically start higher in the brain, childhood brain tumors often begin in lower regions. Various types of brain tumors have significantly different prognoses.

Neuroblastoma

This cancer forms in nerve cells of developing embryos and accounts for 6% of childhood cancers. Neuroblastoma typically affects infants and young children under 10, usually beginning in the abdomen but potentially starting anywhere in the body.

Lymphomas

These immune system cancers usually originate in lymph nodes but can affect the liver and spread to other organs. Both Hodgkin lymphoma (3% of childhood cancers) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (5%) can affect children and adults.

Wilms Tumor

This kidney cancer typically affects children between three and four years old, accounting for 5% of childhood cancers. It usually affects only one kidney.

Bone Cancer

Comprising about 3% of childhood cancers, there are two main types: osteosarcoma (common in teenagers, often affecting arms or legs) and Ewing sarcoma (less common, typically affecting young teens’ hip bones or chest wall).

Rhabdomyosarcoma

This skeletal muscle cancer can originate anywhere in the body and represents 3% of childhood cancers. It’s the most common soft tissue cancer in children.

Retinoblastoma

This eye cancer affects 2% of children with cancer, typically occurring in toddlers and rarely in children over six. Sometimes it’s detected accidentally when a camera flash reveals a white eye instead of the normal red-eye effect.

Treatment Approaches for Childhood Cancer

Treatment plans vary based on cancer type and stage. Common approaches include:

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is particularly effective for childhood cancers because children’s bodies typically recover better than adults’ and can handle higher doses. These medications target rapidly dividing cells, making them effective against the typically aggressive nature of childhood cancers.

Other Treatment Options

Additional treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, stem-cell transplants, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. While chemotherapy reactions can be intense, radiation often presents greater long-term side effects for children.

The Care Team

Children with cancer typically work with a specialized team that may include:

• Pediatric oncologists
• Pediatric surgeons
• Radiation oncologists
• Specialized nurses and nurse practitioners
• Physician assistants
• Physical therapists
• Nutritionists
• Social workers
• Psychologists

Treatment often occurs at dedicated children’s hospitals or cancer centers offering state-of-the-art technology, current treatment protocols, and clinical trials.

Treatment Side Effects

Common side effects include appetite loss, fatigue, nausea, and hair loss, though these vary by treatment type. The healthcare team can explain specific risks associated with each treatment and potential interactions between concurrent therapies.

Beyond immediate treatment effects, childhood cancer survivors may face increased risk of developing cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) later in life.

Causes of Childhood Cancer

Unlike adult cancers often linked to lifestyle factors, childhood cancers typically result from DNA changes or inherited mutations. Children who inherit certain mutated genes have higher risks of specific cancers. Blood and genetic testing can sometimes identify cancer predisposition, potentially enabling earlier detection.

Environmental factors like prolonged radiation exposure may cause some childhood cancers. Research has also suggested a possible link between parental smoking and childhood cancer risk, though evidence remains inconclusive.

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms

Unlike some genetic diseases, childhood cancer lacks widely accepted screening tests. Many symptoms resemble common childhood illnesses or injuries, potentially delaying detection. Watch for:

• Unusual lumps or swelling
• Persistent energy loss
• Unexplained changes in skin tone
• Chronic pain
• Limping
• Persistent fever
• Frequent headaches
• Sudden vision problems
• Rapid weight loss

If these symptoms persist, consult your child’s pediatrician. Remember, these symptoms often relate to common, non-cancerous conditions.

Diagnostic tests may include biopsies, laboratory tests, imaging studies (ultrasounds, X-rays, CAT scans, MRIs, PET scans), and procedures like endoscopies or bone marrow aspiration.

Childhood cancers are staged from zero to four, with stage four indicating the most serious cases where cancer has spread extensively throughout the body.

Mental Health Support for Patients and Families

According to the World Health Organization, childhood cancer cure rates exceed 80% in high-income countries with access to intensive treatments and follow-up care. However, in lower-income countries, less than 30% of children receive the necessary care for potential cure.

The emotional impact of childhood cancer affects patients, families, and healthcare providers. Family or individual therapy can provide essential psychosocial support. Many doctors also seek counseling to process their experiences.

Therapy offers valuable support for coping and grieving. Online therapy through ReachLink provides a convenient alternative to traditional in-person sessions. With ReachLink’s telehealth platform, you can connect with licensed clinical social workers from home or anywhere with internet access, communicating via video sessions at times that work with your schedule.

Research has demonstrated that online therapy can produce significant and clinically meaningful improvements in depression and anxiety scores that persist over time.

Takeaway

While childhood cancer outcomes have improved dramatically, these conditions still profoundly impact children and families. Speaking with a licensed clinical social worker can help patients, families, and medical professionals navigate the emotional challenges of diagnosis and treatment. Consider reaching out to ReachLink’s team of licensed clinical social workers for compassionate support through telehealth services that fit your schedule and needs.

FAQ

• How can therapy help families cope with a childhood cancer diagnosis?

  Therapy provides families with coping strategies to manage the emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Family therapy helps improve communication, reduces anxiety and depression, and teaches stress management techniques. Individual therapy for parents and age-appropriate counseling for children can help process difficult emotions and maintain emotional well-being during treatment.

• When should families seek mental health support during childhood cancer treatment?

  Families should consider therapy support as soon as they feel overwhelmed, notice changes in mood or behavior, or struggle to communicate effectively. Early intervention is beneficial - you don't need to wait for a crisis. Signs include persistent sadness, anxiety, sleep problems, social withdrawal, or difficulty adjusting to the new normal of medical appointments and treatments.

• What types of therapy are most effective for children with cancer?

  Play therapy is particularly effective for younger children, allowing them to express feelings through creative activities. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps older children and teens develop coping skills and manage anxiety. Family therapy addresses the entire family system, while individual counseling provides personalized support. Art and music therapy can also be beneficial for emotional expression during treatment.

• How does telehealth therapy benefit families dealing with childhood cancer?

  Telehealth therapy offers crucial convenience for families managing frequent medical appointments and treatments. It eliminates travel time, reduces exposure to infections in clinical settings, and provides consistent support even during hospital stays. Children can receive therapy from the comfort of home or hospital rooms, maintaining therapeutic relationships without disrupting medical care schedules.

• Can siblings of children with cancer benefit from therapy services?

  Yes, siblings often experience significant emotional impact including feelings of jealousy, guilt, fear, and neglect. Individual therapy helps siblings process these complex emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Family therapy sessions can improve overall family dynamics and ensure all children receive adequate emotional support during this challenging time.