“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 that is used to kill the cancer cells in the body. Children can take chemotherapy like most adults can, intravenously (through an IV) or orally (by mouth). Depending on the severity of the disease will depend on the length of treatment. Each treatment will differ depending on the stage of cancer and how responsive they are to treatment. Radiation is commonly combined with the chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is using high energy waves that destroy the cancer cells. Side effects with these treatments could be short term like nausea, losing hair and weigh loss or more long term like infertility.

Support groups Lean on family and friends for support because no one deserves to be alone during times like this. This is new to you and your child can be just as scared as you are with all the unknown questions and what outcomes are in the future. Reaching out to a support group is a great way to help you through these times.

Sunshine Kids Foundation
800-594-5756
www.sunshinekids.org

American Cancer Society www.cancer.org Additional References:

www.sunshinekids.org

Kids Health. (). Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/cancer/cancer.html

American Cancer Society. (). Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemiainchildren/index