Childhood cancer is not something talked about very often.  However, it remains the most common disease-related cause of death in Canadian children.  It is the cause of more fatalities than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and AIDS combined. 

Cancer is second only to injury-related deaths of Canadian children.

Cancers in children act differently and are found in different organs in the body than those that are found in adults. In general, tumours in children often grow more quickly and spread to other parts of the body faster. Children are more likely to develop leukemia and lymphoma than adults.

One child with cancer is one too many!

Cancer in children creates a large impact on our health, economic and social welfare systems. It also places a burden on the child with cancer and their family. An estimated two-thirds of childhood cancer survivors will have at least one chronic or long-term side effect from their cancer treatment. These can include problems with social skills, leading survivors to have fewer friends.

Dr. Maru Barrera and her team at ‘The Hospital for Sick Children’ developed a group-based social skills program to teach kids skills like co-operation, conflict resolution and being empathetic when socially interacting with others at school and at home. She led a clinical trial in survivors of childhood brain cancer to show that the program could improve survivors’ social skills and quality of life, suggesting that it should be offered more broadly to childhood cancer survivors.

As more children survive cancer, the need for long-term monitoring and follow-up care will continue to grow.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and is recognized around the globe.   

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, there’s a lot to cope with. Finding information and talking about cancer can help a family feel more in control. To learn more about our information and support services or to donate, visit cancer.ca or call 1-888-939-3333.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and is recognized around the globe.   

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, there’s a lot to cope with. Finding information and talking about cancer can help a family feel more in control. To learn more about our information and support services or to donate, visit cancer.ca or call 1-888-939-3333.

This article is sponsored by the Canadian Cancer Society and is for information purposes only. 
If you have any questions, please contact the Belleville office at 613.962.0686 or email hastings@ontario.cancer.ca