Did you know

Leukemia is the most common cancer among children ages 0-14 years and comprises approximately 30% of all childhood cancers.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is the most common form of leukemia in children. Cancer of the brain/other nervous system is the second most common incident cancer in both boys and girls.

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About Cancer

All kinds of cancer, including childhood cancer, have a common disease process. Cells grow out of control, develop abnormal sizes and shapes, ignore their typical boundaries inside the body, destroy their neighbor cells, and ultimately can spread (or metastasize) to other organs and tissues. As cancer cells grow, they demand more and more of the body's nutrition. Cancer takes a child's strength, destroys organs and bones, and weakens the body's defenses against other illnesses.

The burden of cancer among our nation's children has been increasing slightly, by about 0.6% per year, since 1975. Cancer related mortality in children ages 0-14 has been decreasing by 0.9% per year since 1997. The 5-year relative survival rate for all three age groups has increased significantly since the mid 1970s. For example, among children ages 10-14 years, the 5-year relative survival rate increased from 58.9% for those diagnosed in 1975-77 to 80.8% for those patients diagnosed in 1999-2005.


The American Cancer Society
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Cancer Facts & Figures Main
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
Facts
  • Among children ages 0-14, cancer causes more deaths in the U.S. than any other disease.
  • Childhood cancer kills over 1600 children every year.
  • An estimated 9,100 new cases of childhood cancer will occur in the U.S. every year.
  • The most common childhood cancer is leukemia, followed by brain tumors and neuroblastoma.
  • Over 10 million Americans alive today have a history of cancer.
  • One in every four deaths in the U.S. is due to cancer.
  • Researchers now say that many

Warning Signs of Cancer

  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Persistent hoarseness
  • Any sore that does not heal
  • Unusual bleeding
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Pink or red urine
  • Prolonged fever
  • Obvious size or color change in a wart or mole

Reduce Your Risk of Cancer

  • Eat high fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grain cereals.
  • Choose foods low in dietary fat.
  • Don’t smoke or use tobacco in any form.
  • Drink alcohol in moderation.
  • Avoid unnecessary x-rays.
  • Use sunscreen while in the sun.
  • Exercise daily.
  • Get regular check-ups with your doctor.

Children’s Cancer Dream Network (CCDN) is a program of National Cancer Assistance Foundation, Inc. (NCAF),
a non-profit 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization. Federal Tax Identification Number 26-4277380
Copyright © 2010 National Cancer Assistance Foundation, Inc.. All Rights Reserved.