September is officially National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, spotlighting what is the leading cause of death by disease in children in the United States. In fact, approximately one in 300 boys and one in 333 girls will develop cancer before they finish their teen years.
The types of cancers that affect children are often different from those adults are diagnosed with. Childhood leukemia is the biggest culprit, affecting approximately 40 percent, while brain (and other nervous system) cancers hit at a rate of 27 percent. Other types include lymphoma (both Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins), soft tissue, bone & joint, and kidney/pelvic cancers.
The survival rate from these diseases has increased over time, with the current five-year survival rate pegged at approximately 80 percent. However, according to the American Childhood Cancer Association, “Two-thirds of those who do survive face at least one chronic health condition. One quarter of survivors face a late-effect from treatment that is classified as severe or life-threatening. Late-effects of treatment can include heart damage, second cancers, lung damage, infertility, cognitive impairment, growth deficits, hearing loss, and more.”
Research funding comes from the federal government, non-profits, and private organizations, but is sorely lacking. By comparison, childhood cancer research is funded at less than 5 percent of that of breast cancer. By bringing the issue to the forefront during September, and highlighting the costs to both fight and cure childhood cancer, we can start to make a difference.
In a proclamation from the White House, President Obama mentioned the financial burden that childhood cancer imposes, and what is being done to help the families of our smallest cancer victims:
“As we work to better understand and combat these destructive diseases, my Administration is working to lift some of the burden on families affected by them. Because of the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies can no longer deny insurance to children because of pre‑existing conditions, meaning that children who are currently suffering from or have survived cancer must be covered. Insurance companies are also banned from rejecting insurance for children participating in clinical studies, in which the vast majority of children with cancer take part. And the Affordable Care Act prohibits insurance companies from imposing lifetime dollar limits on health benefits—freeing cancer patients and their families from worry of long‑term treatment affordability. “
There are numerous ways for you to help this cause. From visiting children’s hospitals to donating teddy bears to making socks for the little patients’ feet, giving a little bit of your time is just as appreciated as giving part of your paycheck to aid in the cause of researching childhood cancers.
Because we were all children once, imagine how hard it would be to receive a damaging diagnosis during prime growing years, and see how strong these children are to face their illness, most without fear. This September, stay aware of the effect childhood cancer has on everyone.
Soure: HeathNews
