Childhood Cancer

1. Childhood Cancer Gabby Kulikowski & Kellie Campbell

2. What is Cancer? • All types of cancer start because of out-of-control growth of abnormal cells. • Instead of dying, cancer cells continue to grow and form new, abnormal cells. • Cancer cells can also invade other tissues. • Growing out of control and invading other tissues are what makes a cell a cancer cell. • In most cases the cancer cells form a tumor. Some cancers, like leukemia, rarely form tumors.

3. How is Childhood Cancer Different from Adult Cancer? • Development • Childhood cancers are often the result of DNA changes in cells that take place very early in life, sometimes even before birth. • Cancers in adults are strongly linked to lifestyle or environmental risk factors. • Treatment • Children’s bodies can handle chemotherapy better than adults’. • HOWEVER Cancer treatments such as chemo and radiation therapy can cause long-term side effects • Children who have had cancer will need careful follow-up for the rest of their lives.

4. Types of Childhood Cancer • Leukemia (most common type) • Brain and other CNS tumors • Neuroblastoma • Wilms tumor • Lymphoma (including Hodgkin and non-hodgkin) • Rhabdomyosarcoma • Retinoblastoma • Bone cancer

5. Prevention • A few environmental factors, such as radiation exposure, have been linked with some types of childhood cancers. However, most childhood cancers have not shown to have outside causes. • Childhood cancer is difficult to prevent because most cases are a result of inherited DNA.

6. Improvements • In recent years, scientists have made great progress in understanding how certain changes in our DNA can cause cells to become cancerous. • There have been major advances in treatment in recent decades, resulting in a greater survival rate.

7. Statistics • Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children (after accidents). • Childhood cancer rates have been rising slightly for the past few decades. • About 11,630 children in the United States under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2013 • About 1,310 children younger than 15 years old are expected to die from cancer in 2013.

8. Statistics • More than 80% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more. Whereas the 5-year survival rate in the mid-1970swas less than 60%. • Childhood cancers are rare, making up less than 1% of all cancers diagnosed each year

9. Treatment • Treatments are chosen for childhood cancers based mainly on the type and stage of the cancer. • Treatment options might include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or other types of treatment. • There are exceptions, but childhood cancers usually respond well to chemotherapy because they tend to be cancers that grow fast.

10. The Treatment Team • Pediatric oncologists • Doctors who specialize in using medicines to treat children with cancer • Pediatric surgeons • Doctors who specialize in performing surgery in children • Radiation oncologists • Doctors who specialize in using radiation to treat cancer • Pediatric oncology nurses • Nurses who specialize in caring for children with cancer • Nurse practitioners and physician assistants • Nurses and other professionals who are specially trained and licensed to practice medicine alongside doctors

11. The Treatment Team cont. • The centers where children are treated for cancer also include: • Psychologists • Social workers • Child life specialists • Nutritionists • Rehabilitation and physical therapists • Educators who can support and educate the entire family

12. Childhood Cancer Awareness • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FRC94_25kA