Cancer in children

Unlike in grown-ups, the difficult part in diagnosing childhood cancer is recognising the symptoms.That’s because many of the symptoms of cancer in children can also be a sign of other, much less serious, conditions. Everything from fever to frequent infections to vomiting and headaches could be a sign of a developing cancer. But they could also just be common childhood symptoms that come and go without the need for treatment or worry. But when do you start worrying because the risk of children developing cancer remains fairly low than in adults?  

When to take the signs seriously?

Over the past few years, we have frequently heard of cases of children with cancer. Parents should look out for any nagging ache or pain that a child complains about and not take it lightly especially because there are several forms of cancer that can present in children. The most common are leukaemia and brain cancer. But children as young as two years can also get lymphoma, neuroblastoma, bone tumours, retinoblastoma and Wilma’s tumour, a growth that affects the kidneys.

Keep an eye on your child

Everything from fever to frequent infections to vomiting and headaches could be a sign of a developing cancer. The length and severity of the symptoms should be a cause for concern. When the symptoms last very long and don’t clear up on their own and they persist for an unusual length of time or seem to get more severe for no obvious reason, then you might want to consider taking your child to your health practitioner for a more thorough examination – just to be on the safe side.

What is not normal?

As a parent you should listen to your gut feeling and not ignore any signs that you feel are abnormal. For example, a fever that lasts for more than two weeks, for instance, is not considered normal and could be a warning sign of something more severe.In the same token, vomiting and headaches that last for more than a week and seem to get more severe at certain times of day can be a signal of a developing tumour. A brain tumour can also cause other symptoms, including difficulty in walking, seizures and personality changes. Any combination of these symptoms is definite cause for concern. You should take action immediately.

Unexplained pains are also cause for concern

Apart from the above signs and symptoms, strong warning signs of a potential cancer threat is bone pain not related to a specific injury, a persistent cough and an enlarging mass on the abdomen, arms or legs. You should also watch out for changes in appetite and sudden loss of weight as it is not normal for children to lose weight rapidly. It can be an indication that the body is not functioning as it should be.

Don’t take chances

While the prospect of childhood cancer can be frightening, it still remains rather rare. So, while you shouldn’t panic, you also don’t want to take any chances with your child. For this reason, you should remain vigilant when your child displays any unusual symptoms and then consult with your paediatrician if the signs persist. Only a professional can rule out cancer as a cause.