| Coping with Cancer |
|
The types of cancers that occur in children vary greatly from those seen in adults. Leukemias, brain and other nervous system tumors, lymphomas (lymph node cancers), bone cancers, soft tissue sarcomas, kidney cancers, eye cancers and adrenal gland cancers are the most common cancers of children, while skin, prostate, breast, lung and colorectal cancers are the most common in adults. The stage of growth and development is another important difference between adults and children; the immaturity of children's organ systems often has important treatment implications. About 9,510 children under the age of 15 in the United States were diagnosed with cancer in 2005. Because of significant advances in therapy, 79% of these children will survive 5 years or more. This is a major increase from before the 1970s, when the 5-year survival rate was less than 50%. More children than ever are surviving childhood cancer. There are new and better drugs and methods to help children deal with the side effects of treatment. And children who have had cancer now have a better quality of life throughout childhood and into adulthood; fewer long-term ill effects follow the treatment. Yet, in spite of all this good news, cancer is still a serious disease. Despite the impressive strides in treatment and supportive care, cancer is still the leading cause of death (an estimated 1,585 deaths in 2005) from disease in children younger than 15 years old, second only to accidents in most age groups. If you or a loved one are facing cancer, you are not alone in facing your fears; help is available. A treatment team - doctors, radiation therapists, rehabilitation specialists, dietitians, oncology nurses, and social workers, among others - can help you and your child deal with the disease. The National Cancer Institute has published several resource materials that can be of help to you: Young People with Cancer: A Handbook for Parents - Online » | PDF » Childhood Cancers - Online » |