Cancer occurs in people of all ages and can affect any part of the body.
Most cancers in children, like those in adults, have alterations (changes, or mutations) in genes that lead to uncontrolled cell growth and eventually cancer. There are different types of cancer in children.
Children can develop cancers such as leukemia (blood cancer), brain cancer, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, and Wilms’ tumor. The most common of these is leukemia. Unlike cancer in adults, the vast majority of childhood cancers do not have a known cause.
Many studies have sought to identify the causes of childhood cancer, but very few cancers in children are caused by environmental or lifestyle factors. The sooner cancer is found in children, the sooner it can be treated effectively.
Here are the symptoms of cancer in children:
– Lack of blood which makes the skin look pale white
– Weight loss
– Cough, which is not cured for a long time
– Loss of vision
– Swelling of the body, swelling without injury
– Abdominal bloating
– Severe headaches and vomiting (especially in the morning)
– Bone pain
– fatigue
– Dizziness
– Unable to keep the body in balance
According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the only way to control cancer in children is to identify and treat it as soon as the symptoms appear.
Cancer is a leading cause of death for children and adolescents. The likelihood of surviving a diagnosis of childhood cancer depends on the country in which the child lives.
In high-income countries, more than 80% of children with cancer are cured, but in many Low-Middle Income Countries due to o delay in diagnosis, an inability to obtain an accurate diagnosis, inaccessible therapy, abandonment of treatment, death from toxicity (side effects), and avoidable relapse less than 30% cases are cured.
When identified early, cancer is more likely to respond to effective treatment and result in a greater probability of survival, less suffering, and often less expensive and less intensive treatment.
