Were you aware that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?

as published in the Times Herald Record

There is not a lot about childhood cancer in the media, most likely because the topic is not one people want to think about, but actually, childhood cancer is quite rare. The odds of your child being diagnosed before they are 20 years old are 1 in 330. Although the reality is that children do get cancer and even though the survival rate has risen in the past years, the effects of the treatments can cause life-threatening problems later on in life.

The purpose of this month is to spotlight childhood cancers and survivorship issues related to childhood cancer.

What is cancer? Basically, it is an abnormal cell. The body is made up of many types of cells, which grow and divide to produce more cells when needed. Cells sometimes divide when they are not needed creating a mass of cells known as a tumor. Tumors can either be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Children’s cancers are usually more aggressive than adults and must be treated differently and more invasively. According to the National Cancer Institute, childhood cancers have a high cure rate. The surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy used in the treatment of cancer can have long term medical effects on growing bodies and developing minds.

Survivors of childhood cancer can face a number of complications later on in life. Among the complications are, fertility issues, sight and hearing problems, decreased growth hormone and thyroid function, increased chance of a second type of cancer, as well as organ problems with the spleen, kidney, heart, and liver. Some children and their families may even face posttraumatic stress syndrome, due to the overwhelming physical, emotional, and financial burden placed on the family. How can you as a parent help your child now and years from now?

KNOWLEDGE. Parents of children with cancer have created a website to help other parents, www.acor.org/ped-onc/survivors/. Another helpful site is www.curesearch.org and also the National Cancer Institute's website at www.cancer.gov.

SUPPORT. The medical tests and procedures can be painful and scary for a child. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) are being used along with conventional cancer treatments to help ease the patient’s mind and body. Types of CAM include: meditation, hypnosis, and guided imagery to help quiet the mind and relax the body; acupuncture and naturopathic medicines are used to ease side effects of treatments; massage and chiropractic care are also used to help ease the body.

AWARENESS. Help spread the word about what surviving cancer really entails. Most physicians are not familiar with the wide range of potential late effects cancer treatments. You can visit www.candlelighters.org to learn more.

DONATE. Medical costs along can be straining on a family and generally one or both parents may not be able to work for quite some time while their child is undergoing treatment. Purchase a gold ribbon and show your support for these brave children. Ribbons are available at www.goldribbons.com.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), cancer of the blood cells, is the most common childhood cancer. Brain cancer is the most common solid tumor in children. Lymphomas are the third most common childhood cancer. Lymph is found in several areas of the body so this type of cancer can begin in many places, but most often is found in the neck, armpit, or groin area and is more commonly known as Hodgkin's disease.

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