...The loss of a child to cancer is one of the worst tragedies a family can face. Each death means the loss of a lifetime (Goodman, 2014). Survivors face serious medical complications, and secondary cancers along with cognitive impairments and shortened life spans (Goodman, 2014). Over the last 20 years childhood cancers have been diagnosed to be invasive more than 29% (Childhood Cancer Facts, 2014). Annually, more than 13,500 children are diagnosed with some form of childhood cancer that is more than an average classroom of children (Childhood Cancer Facts, 2014). This issue is not only a state issue but a national one, possibly worse in the third world countries due to lack of doctors and technology. More than 35,000 children are currently in...
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...Coping With Childhood Cancer For a parent, there is nothing quite as unnerving as receiving the news that your child has been diagnosed with Cancer. Not only the parents are affected, but also the siblings and other family members. Life for the family instantly changes. Parents must be away from work. Siblings might need to be cared for by relatives or friends. The child (patient) becomes the major focus of family time and attention. All other concerns are put on hold. This all happens in a very short period of time. Families that have been and are going through this feel like they're on an emotional roller-coaster. These families all feel varying levels of shock, fear, guilt, sadness, anxiety, and anger. They are unprepared to handle the fact that the child has a life threatening illness. This is probably because the previous experience with someone they know who had or has a similar diagnosis is usually an older person, not someone as young or close to home as this diagnosis is. When a child or teen is diagnosed with cancer, families and parents will need to learn as much about the disease as possible. Most importantly, they will need to learn how to cope and move forward after the diagnosis, about dealing with the early and late effects of treatment, and about preparing for what may be down the road. It is very important to understand the effect this diagnosis can take on different members of the family. This...
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...Cancer is very uncommon in children, but it does happen. Cancer does not discriminate. The most common types of childhood cancers are leukemia, lymphoma, and brain cancer. It takes control of your body's nutrition, strength, organs, bones, and your defense system. Most cancers in children result from mutations in the genes of growing cells. Sadly, there is no way of preventing this. Normally at your child’s regular check up, the doctor is the first to detect that something is abnormal. Some of the first symptoms you may see could be fever, swollen glands, anemia, and frequently occurring infections. Doctors and parents may suspect a more common illness before assuming cancer. If it is diagnosed as cancer, there are treatments that can help manage pain, remove or slow the growth of cancer cells, and sometimes even lead to...
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...The Late Effects of Childhood Cancer 1. Children diagnosed with cancer are more likely able to develop emotional difficulties and secondary cancers. A secondary cancer can be defined as a cancer that appears in the body after the diagnosis of the first cancer (“Late Effects,” 2013). In the article “Late Effects” (2013), it is explained that secondary cancers are often caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Another main contributor resulting in a secondary cancer is medications that are intentionally used to cure the first type of cancer that has taken over the body. It is known from testing that each patient reacts differently with the treatment they are receiving (Bayliff & Moscow, xxxx, p. 162). The doses of the medications have a...
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...A cancer diagnosis at any age can be devastating and scary, but when it is a child that is diagnosed the devastation is even more profound. The diagnosis is not just a diagnosis for the child; it is a diagnosis for the entire family. It will uniquely affect each member at the time of diagnosis, during the course of treatment, and during the survivorship phase and will have a direct effect on how they cope. Treatment for a childhood cancer can be much longer than that of an adult treatment plan and the lengthy road can take its toll on everyone. Often times the focus remains on the patient alone and the parents and siblings become casualties of the disease process. The diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescent with cancer has tremendous and lasting effects on an entire family. Overview of Pediatric Cancer Cancers of any kind during childhood are rare. Childhood cancer accounts for less than two percent of all cancers diagnosed each year. About 150 to 160 per 1,000,000 children or around 12,000 children in total will be diagnosed in any given year (Abrams & Kurtz, 2011). The most common form of pediatric cancer is leukemia and more specifically acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Other tumor types include germ cell tumor, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, neuroblastoma, acute myeloid leukemia, Wilms tumor, osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, thyroid carcinoma, melanoma, retinoblastoma and Ewing’s sarcoma (Abrams, et al. 2011)...
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...According to the American Cancer Society (2013) states, “A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease such as cancer” (American Cancer Society, 2013). “There are a few known risk factors for childhood leukemia” (American Cancer Society, 2013). According to the American Cancer Society (2013) states, “Genetic risk factors are those that are part of our DNA (the substance that makes up our genes)” (American Cancer Society, 2013). The genetic risk factor is what we get from our parents that is most of the time inherited (American Cancer Society, 2013). “Most cases of leukemia are not linked to any known genetic causes” (American Cancer Society, 2013). * Other risk factors of leukemia would be “inherited disorders, this can increase a child’s risk of developing leukemia” (American Cancer Society, 2013). Here is a listed of syndromes: “Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Klinefelter syndrome, and Li-Fraumeni syndrome” (American Cancer Society, 2013). According to the American Cancer Society (2013) states, “Certain inherited diseases cause children to be born with immune system problems” (American Cancer Society, 2013). “These include: Ataxia telangiectasia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and Bloom syndrome” (American Cancer Society, 2013). * According to the American Cancer Society (2013) states, “Lifestyle-related risk factors are important in many adult cancers, but they are unlikely to play a role in most childhood cancers” (American Cancer Society, 2013). “Environmental...
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...General Report on Families and Children Dealing with Cancer Beverly Sylvia HCA/240 April 6, 2012 Shannon White Causes and Risk Factors When you find out your child has cancer, most parents wonder what they did wrong, what could they have done to prevent it, and often times wish they could trade places with their children. Truth of the matter is, there are probably some causes and factors that could have been changed on the parent’s part to make the possibilities of their child getting cancer less likely. Then there are those causes that no one could have stopped. Many children inherit DNA changes from their parents which can increase their risks for cancer. Since it is in a child’s DNA, then tests can be done on different cells in the child’s body to determine if they are a candidate for cancer. However, there are causes of childhood cancer that are not genetically related. “They are the result of DNA changes that happened early in the child’s life, sometimes even before birth. Every time a cell prepares to divide into 2 new cells, it must copy its DNA. This process is not perfect, and errors sometimes occur, especially when the cells are growing quickly. This type of gene mutation can happen at anytime in life and is called acquired mutation (American Cancer Society, 2012).” The American Cancer Society, also states that the “reasons for DNA changes that cause the vast majority of childhood cancers are unknown.” Prevention and Detection Of course...
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...“Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and teens, accounting for almost 1 out of 3 cancers” (American Cancer Society, 2015).Causes and Risk Factors * Genetic * Inherited Disorder * Down Syndrome * 3rd copy of Chromosome 21 * Klinefelter Syndrome * Males have an extra x chromosome * Inherited Immune System Problems * Ataxia Telangiectasia * Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome * Bloom Syndrome * Having a Sibling with the Cancer * Radiation Exposure | | | What is Leukemia?Leukemia is a cancer that is formed in the white blood cells or in other blood cells in the body. Leukemia can spread throughout the body slowly or very quickly. The Leukemia cells start to over reign the good cells and cause problems in the body. When leukemia spreads through the body quickly then it tends to make organs in the human body not function properly. Support Group Contact Name: American Childhood Cancer OrganizationPhone: 855-858-2226 Email: webmaster@acco.org Address: American Childhood Cancer OrganizationNational Office P.O. Box 498 Kensington MD 20895-0498Web: ACCO.org | | | | | | LEUKEMIA IN CHILDREN LEUKEMIA IN CHILDREN | | | | | | | LEUKEMIA IN CHILDREN LEUKEMIA IN CHILDREN | BY: Shannan Merrill | | TREATMENT OPTIONS * Work Close with the Child’s Primary Care Doctor * Cancer Centers for Children and Teens * Pediatric Oncologist * Uses Chemotherapy * Medication to Treat the Child * Nurses * Social...
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...Neuroblastoma is a form of cancer that starts in certain types of nerve cells found in a developing embryo or fetus. This type occurs in infants and young children. It is most often found during the first year of life. It is rarely found in children older than 10. This type of cancer accounts for about 7% of childhood cancers. Wilms tumor is a cancer that starts in one, or rarely, both kidneys. It is most often found in children about three years old, and is uncommon in children older than six. It can show up as a swelling or lump in the belly. This type of cancer accounts for about 5% of childhood cancers (American Cancer Society, 2010). Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma are cancers that start in the lymph tissues, such as the tonsils, lymph nodes, and thymus. These cancers may spread to bone marrow and other organs, which can cause different symptoms depending on where it is growing. Hodgkin's lymphoma can occur in both children and adults, and accounts for about 4% of childhood cancers. It is more common, though, in two age groups: early adulthood (age 15-40, usually people in their 20s) and late adulthood (after 55). Hodgkin lymphoma is rare in children younger than five years of age. About 10% to 15% of cases are diagnosed in children and teenagers. About 81 out of 100 people diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are alive one year after the disease is diagnosed. About 63 out of 100 people with the disease are alive at five years, and 49 out of 100 at 10 years...
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...known as Osteoganic Sarcoma ➢ A bone cancer that can occur at any age but is more common in young adults and children. ➢ This cancer begins in the bones of growing teens and then spreads to other parts of the body. ➢ An error in a child’s DNA of their growing bone cells causes Osteosarcoma. ➢ This cancer is not genetic and occurs at random. ➢ Causes the bones to grow weaker than normal. OSTEOSARCOMA Risk Factors: ➢ Growing teen boys are at a greater risk. ➢ Taller than average males have an added risk. ➢ Children who already have rare cancers such as: • Retinoblastoma (occurs in children 2 years or younger, this is a malignant tumor that develops in the retina.) • Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (an inherited genetic mutation) ➢ Children who are exposed to radiation ➢ More common in African Americans Symptoms: ➢ Pain or swelling in legs or arms(most pain may occur at night or after physical activity) ➢ A lump or swelling may develop a few weeks after the pain starts. ➢ Because this cancer weakens the bones a limp or broken bones may be the first sign of Osteosarcoma. Treatment options: ➢ Chemotherapy (using medical drugs to shrink the cancer and kill the cancer cells) ➢ Surgery (to remove cells or tumors) ➢ Additional chemo can kill any other remaining cancer cells. ➢ Other surgeries may be needed...
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...“Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and adolescents. It accounts for about 1 out of 3 cancers in children.” (American Cancer Society) Leukemia is cancer of the blood and develops in the bone marrow. Causes and risk factors, including environmental risks: The majority of childhood leukemia are acquired genetic diseases. “In most cases, however, childhood cancers arise from non inherited mutations (or changes) in the genes of growing cells. Because these errors occur randomly and unpredictably, there's no effective way to prevent them.” (Kids Health) Risk factors could be chemical exposures, viruses, infections that could be associate with damaging the immune system. You cannot prevent leukemia but you can reduce your risks by reducing your intake of the risk factors. Detection Bone marrow aspiration, x-ray, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, spinal tap How the cancer affects the body Since leukemia affects the blood throughout the body common symptoms will be anemia, bruising, recurrent infections (as your body can not heal properly), bone / joint pain, and difficulty breathing Treatment options Typical treatment options available are chemotherapy or radiation. Typically with leukemia, surgery does not take place. This is because leukemia is involved with the circulatory system which is located throughout the body making it difficult to operate on a specific area. Chemotherapy is medication...
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... Thesis Statement: Studies indicate that occurrences of adult and pediatric cancer in the United States are on the rise and are caused by increased parental and prenatal environmental exposures and both adults and children whose lifestyles lack a healthy diet and physical activity. Annotated Bibliography American Cancer Society (2014) Diet and Physical Activity: What’s the cancer connection? Retrieved from: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/dietandphysicalactivity/diet-and-physical-activity The American Cancer Society has been a leading organization in cancer prevention and awareness for over a century. They contribute to the fight against cancer in a variety of ways to include advocating and creating laws to prevent and treat cancer, investing in cancer fighting research, and helping those who are diagnosed with cancer cope and treat their illness. The information in this article states that there is indeed a link between cancer and poor diet and physical inactivity. The article provides several interventions and mitigating strategies an individual can take to manage risk of cancer due to a lack of exercise and heathy diet. This article is key in validating the second point in the thesis statement as a cause of cancer. National Cancer Institute (NCI) (2014) Cancer in Children and Adolescence. Retrieved from: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/childhood NCI is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is the main...
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...MHSc The diagnosis of cancer in a child or teenager can be a devastating blow to parents and other family members who love the child. Leukemia is a cancer of the early blood-forming cells. Most often, leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, but some leukemia’s start in other blood cell types. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming cells. Leukemia starts in the bone marrow, where the blood cells are made, and quickly spreads to the blood. From there it can go to the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, central nervous system, and other organs. Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and adolescents. It accounts for about 1 out of 3 cancers in children. Overall, however, childhood leukemia is a rare disease. Most of the signs and symptoms of leukemia result from a lack of normal blood cells. This happens because the cancer cells crowd out the normal cells that make blood in the bone marrow. The leukemia cells may spread to other parts of the body, which can also cause symptoms. A risk factor is something that increases a person's chance of getting a disease. Different cancers have different risk factors. But risk factors don't tell us everything. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean that you will get the disease. And many people who get the disease may not have had any known risk factors. It is important to remember that most children with leukemia do not have any known risk factors, and the cause of their cancer is not known at this time...
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...long years of training and hard work? Many of those whom choose to enter this field develop their initial interest as Pediatric residents experience the challenges and joys of caring for children and teenagers with complex disorders such as blood diseases and cancer. Students interested in becoming a Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist, should understand the basic information about the pediatric's job description, working conditions, and the required training. Although radiation and surgeon oncologists may treat cancer in pediatric patients, the term '' pediatric oncologist '' refers to the physicians who have received further training in medical oncology and hematology after specializing in pediatric. Since pediatric oncologists treat children and teens, their focus is somewhat different than of medical oncologists who treat adults. Patients of the pediatrics are not usually afflicted by the wide variety of cancers that are commonly seen in adult patients, therefore pediatric oncologists may deal with fewer cancer cases and more genetic hematologic disorders. Most hematologic disorders (sickle-cell disease, hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, leukemia, lymphoma, and embryonic tumors) occurring during infancy, childhood, and adolescence are uncommon and require a highly sophisticated approach to diagnosis and treatment based on molecular and cellular biology, and other academic disciplines. The rapid and impressive progress in the field in recent decades require the specialty...
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...Aldous Huxley captures the effect of the application of scientific methods to procedures in the modern American society to a more substantial degree than ever, recognized by readers of his novel, Brave New World. This portrays a world centered around scientific progress and control. Huxley brings to light the extremity of influence given to Americans by revolutionary science. In an effort to forever improve, society has conformed to many ways of fixing imperfections. From surgeries and medications for honest sicklings to injections for greedy, pretentious abusers, people as a whole have transformed from the good ole days to the fast-paced, materialistic world. While discoveries in science are often for the benefit of society, is it possible that these newfound treasures are actually a preface for rot and ruin? Since most little girls could remember, the only way it seemed plausible to become successful was by living in the body of Cinderella or Barbie or Miss America. As they began to mature, nothing changed. The image remained as a beautiful bag of bones when media and celebrities were constantly thrown in their face. In the past, if they didn’t have “the look”, they were left hopeless and self-conscious. Thankfully, some idiot decided they would abuse the power of nature and science by providing these girls with an answer to their prayers. Plastic Surgery! What they didn’t account for was the impact. Now, not only were the glamorous allowed to have the image, everyone was-again...
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