Cancer is not an easy disease to deal with for anyone, let alone children. Childhood cancers can be a difficult diagnosis to deal with. When children are diagnosed with childhood cancers, they will have to go through rigorous treatment and their guardians will also face significant stress. This can rob the child of their childhood and their light-hearted nature. In this situation, it can help to know and understand more about what the child is going through, the kind of treatment that they are being given and more. This will help both the guardian and the child during their treatment and medical journey.

What Is Childhood Cancer?

Common Childhood Cancers

People often associate cancer with old age. Drinking, smoking and other cancer-inducing activities can often be the cause of cancer, but sometimes properly healthy young children who do not partake in any of these activities can be diagnosed with cancer. The children who experience this kind of cancer are said to be experiencing childhood cancers. There are some kinds of cancers that can be experienced by both adults and children but there can also sometimes be cancer that affects only children, which are often more cause of concern for parents and guardians with young kids. Both of these types of cancers are known as childhood cancers.

What Is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease that is caused by mutated or abnormal cells. These cells clump up to form a tumor and over time the tumor expands in the person’s body. The tumor harms the body and as it spreads, it will often affect the person more and more, leading to more prominent symptoms and prominent issues for the person. There are two types of tumors that can be found in a person’s body – these are called benign tumors and malignant tumors. Benign tumors are non-cancerous while malignant tumors are cancerous in nature.  A benign tumor will not spread from one place to another and the cells that form this mass usually divide very slowly. The benign tumor will not cause issues for the person and for this reason, it is often not detected. A malignant tumor is a cancerous tumor. This kind of tumor will expand quickly, degrading a person’s cells, tissues and organs. This will often lead to problems for the person, and can sometimes even be fatal. 

Because the symptoms of cancer get worse with time, it is crucial that this disease is treated as soon as possible. This will help the patient to recover quicker and not face so many problems or symptoms because of their cancer. They will also stand a higher chance of being completely cured of their cancer.

Are Child Cancer Patients Treated Differently From Adult Cancer Patients?

Children are still growing and developing and if they go through any kind of rigorous treatment or are given any strong medication, they may have a reaction to the same. There are some ways in which children who are treated for cancer may have a different experience from adults who are facing and experiencing the same disease. 

Some ways in which the health of child cancer patients may be different from adults with similar health problems are: 

  • Children may sometimes be given a smaller dosage of medication 
  • The procedures that are done on children like surgeries may not be so rigorous 
  • Children will be treated by pediatric specialists and child oncologists
  • Children may often attend school in the hospital or online while undergoing their treatment

There can be other ways in which child cancer patients’ treatments will be different from cancer patients who are adults or belong to an older age group.

What Can I Do To Help My Child During Cancer Treatment?

Cancer treatment can take a toll on anyone. This kind of treatment can be especially difficult for a child who has had the normalcy in their life taken away from them, there are some ways in which you can make cancer treatment easier for your child. 

Some ways in which you can help your child during their cancer treatment are: 

  • They can meet other children going through the same disease so that they feel like they are not alone
  • The child can attend school in some way which will allow them to have a sense of normalcy 
  • If the child is struggling during their treatment, the doctors can be asked to reduce the treatment to some extent if this is possible 
  • You can take your child outdoors so that they feel like they are not constantly indoors at home or in the hospital 

There may be some more ways you could improve your child’s medical experience and journey and help them struggle less while they are being treated for cancer. This may make a huge difference for them. It’s always advisable to consult a medical professional about this.

What Sorts Of Questions Can I Ask A Doctor About Childhood Cancer?

It can help to ask some questions when going through any kind of treatment. This will help you to know what to expect and will give you a sense and understanding as to why the doctor is taking some steps to address your health and how this can eventually help you. It may be useful to have some suggestions for this. 

Some things that you could ask a  doctor about childhood cancers are: 

  • How long will the treatment for the child last?
  • Does this cancer only affect children?
  • How is the treatment different from the way in which an adult would be treated for the same health issues?/
  • Will the child go through chemotherapy?
  • Will the child have to undergo surgery?
  • Will the child be given treatment using radiation therapy?
  • Could I get a second opinion on my child’s health?
  • What is the best hospital I can get my child’s treatment at?

There may be some more things that you could ask the concerned doctor or oncologist about your child’s health. This will help you to be able to take the necessary steps and measures so your child’s health needs can be addressed in a proper manner. If your child faces any problems related to cancer, it is advisable that you discuss them with your doctor.

Conclusion

Childhood cancers can be worrying to deal with, especially when the child is very young. If the child has enough support from their parents, doctors, guardians and more, they will be able to go through their cancer treatment with much more ease and fewer issues. This can even help to deliver better results for them when it comes to their health and treatment.