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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shining a light on the courageous battles faced by children diagnosed with cancer and their families.
Every day in the UK, 10 children and adolescents will be diagnosed with cancer, and of those 10, two will not survive. However, the resilience of these young people, combined with the dedication of researchers, healthcare professionals, and advocates, continues to inspire hope and progress.
This month, we join forces to raise awareness, support research, and advocate for better treatments and outcomes. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against childhood cancer, allowing each child to grow up and fulfill their dreams.
Childhood cancer refers to cancers that occur in children from birth up to 19 years of age. Unlike many adult cancers, which are often linked to lifestyle and environmental factors, the causes of most childhood cancers remain largely unknown.
These cancers are typically different in type and biology compared to adult cancers. Pediatric cancers are often more aggressive and fast-growing, but they also tend to respond better to treatments like chemotherapy. The development and progression of cancer in children require specialised approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
While adult cancers often develop in organs like the lungs, breast, colon, or prostate, childhood cancers tend to arise in the blood, brain, bones, and soft tissues.
Common childhood cancers include:
Adult cancers are frequently linked to lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, and exposure to environmental toxins. In contrast, the causes of most childhood cancers are not well understood.
Some childhood cancers are linked to genetic mutations or inherited conditions, but in many cases, the cancer arises without a clear cause. There is ongoing research into the potential roles of environmental factors, infections, and prenatal exposures, but conclusive links are often difficult to establish.
Pediatric cancers typically grow rapidly, necessitating aggressive treatment regimens. However, children’s bodies generally tolerate these treatments better than adults’ bodies, leading to higher cure rates for some types of cancer.
The treatments used for childhood cancer, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, are often the same as those used for adults. Still, they are carefully adjusted to suit the needs of growing bodies.
However, aggressive treatments can result in significant long-term side effects, impacting the child’s development and overall health into adulthood.
Childhood cancer is a significant global health issue, with around 400,000 children and adolescents (aged 0-19) diagnosed worldwide each year. This disease affects families across all nations, with the burden being heavier in low- and middle-income countries where access to care is often limited.
In low and middle-income countries, childhood cancer survival rates can be as low as 20%, primarily due to delayed diagnoses, lack of effective treatment options, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. In contrast, high-income countries have significantly higher survival rates due to better healthcare systems.
In the United Kingdom, approximately 1,800 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer annually, making it the leading cause of death by disease in children aged 1 to 15 years. Leukaemia remains the most common childhood cancer, with it accounting for 30% of all cases.
The overall 5-year survival rate for children diagnosed with cancer in the UK is approximately 85%, which is on par with other high-income countries. Over the past few decades, this improvement is primarily due to advancements in medical research, early diagnosis, and the availability of specialised treatment facilities.
However, survival rates can vary significantly depending on the type of cancer, the tumour’s location, and its aggressiveness.
While survival rates have improved, around two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors in the UK will experience at least one chronic health condition later in life as a result of their cancer treatment. These late effects can include secondary cancers, cardiovascular issues, endocrine disorders, and cognitive impairments.
There is an increasing focus on not only curing cancer in children but also minimising the long-term side effects of treatments. This has led to research into less toxic therapies and better supportive care to improve the quality of life for survivors.
With increased funding and technological advancements, there have been several significant breakthroughs in the treatments for childhood cancer, such as:
One of the most significant advancements in childhood cancer research is the development of genomic and precision medicine. Researchers can now sequence the DNA of tumours to identify specific genetic mutations that drive cancer growth. This allows for more personalised treatments, targeting the unique characteristics of each child’s cancer.
Precision medicine has already succeeded in certain cancers, such as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), where targeted therapies have dramatically improved survival rates. For instance, drugs like imatinib have effectively treated leukaemia with specific genetic markers.
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment option for certain childhood cancers. This approach harnesses the body’s immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells.
A notable example is CAR-T cell therapy, which involves modifying a patient’s T cells to target cancer cells more effectively. CAR-T therapy has shown remarkable success in treating relapsed or refractory ALL in children, with some patients achieving long-term remission.
Advances in treatment protocols are increasingly focused on reducing the long-term side effects of cancer treatment, which can include physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Research is being conducted on less toxic chemotherapy regimens and new radiation techniques that minimise exposure to healthy tissues.
For example, proton beam therapy is a form of radiation that delivers more precise doses of radiation to tumours while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. This is particularly important in treating brain tumours in children, where traditional radiation can have significant long-term cognitive effects.
Several emerging therapies show great promise in the fight against childhood cancer. For example, targeted therapies that inhibit specific molecules in cancer cell growth are being developed for cancers like neuroblastoma and certain brain tumours.
Another exciting area of research is the development of gene therapies that aim to correct the genetic defects underlying some childhood cancers. While still in the early stages, gene therapy could revolutionise treatment for cancers with poor prognoses currently.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a powerful initiative that raises awareness of the prevalence, types of cancer, and treatment methods associated with childhood cancer.
By getting involved with the initiative, you can boost awareness and funding towards developing further treatments so that young people have an increased chance of survival and a healthy life post-treatment.
Here’s how you can support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month:
The causes of most childhood cancers remain unknown. About 8 to 10 per cent of all cancers in children are caused by an inherited mutation that has been passed from parents to children. Research continues to attempt to identify the causes of childhood cancers to put preventative measures in place.
Childhood cancer is relatively uncommon compared with adult cancer. In the UK, approximately 1,635 children between the ages of 1 and 15 are diagnosed with cancer each year.
September is Childhood Awareness Month. During this month, individuals are encouraged to wear gold to support those suffering from cancer and those who have previously suffered.
As we reflect on the importance of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, it’s clear that raising awareness and supporting the fight against childhood cancer is a responsibility we all share.
At Home Health UK, we are committed to supporting this vital cause. By spreading awareness, supporting research, and providing resources, we can make a real difference in the lives of children and families affected by this devastating disease.
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