childhood cancer
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Childhood Cancer. Gold Award Project – 2013 By Annika Lars. What do these ribbons mean?. What do these ribbons mean?. The pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness. Many people do not recognize this ribbon; however, it stands for childhood cancer. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Childhood Cancer
Gold Award Project – 2013By Annika Lars
What do these ribbons mean?
What do these ribbons mean?The pink ribbon
is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness.
Many people do not recognize this ribbon; however, it stands for childhood cancer.
What is Childhood Cancer?Childhood cancer is a collection of
diseasesEvery day in America, 46 children
are diagnosed with cancerApproximately 12,400 between
birth and 19 are diagnosed every year
Types of Cancer12 major types of
cancer: bones, muscle, blood, liver, kidney, eyes
Blood (Leukemias) and brain tumors make up more than half of cases
Common adult cancers rarely occur in children
CausesThere is no
known cause of childhood cancer
Some are even born with cancer
StatisticsLeading cause of death in children
under 18 The median age at diagnosis is six
years oldSome forms of pediatric cancer
have a 5 year survival rate of more than 90%, while others have a 5 year survival rate of less than 2%
TreatmentWhile adults often
go through about a year of treatment, children often have an average treatment length of three years (cure to remission)
Battle After Treatment Due to the toxic therapies used to
cure cancer, the young survivors will have serious side-effects:
Delayed cognitive developmentStunted growthDamaged speech and/or hearing Infertility and Endocrine DysfunctionLearning DisabilitiesPhysical Handicaps due to nerve
damage or amputation
The Battle After Treatment 1 out of 4 will not live past 5 years 3 out of 4 will have life-long
complications from their aggressive treatments
25% of survivors have severe/life-threatening effects
10% will develop a secondary cancer Only 20% of children receive follow-up
care which is crucial (90% of adults do)
Need for Change80% of cases: diagnosis is delayed
until the disease is very advanced and has spread to other parts of the body (only 20% in adults)
Because childhood cancers tend to be more aggressive, this late diagnosis can affect the severity of the diagnosis
Need for ChangePediatric cancer patients are often
still treated with drugs that were created in the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s
In the past 20 years, the FDA has only approved one new drug exclusively for pediatric patients
Effects of Childhood CancerChemotherapy and radiation make
children feel sick and weak as well as make their hair fall out
Entire family is affected: a parent may have to quit their job, and often siblings are neglected
Parents can spend over 40 hours per week caring for their child
What Can You Do?Help scientists
search for a cure by donating or fundraising to support childhood cancer research
Volunteer for a local organization
Extra Links http://www.acco.org/Information/
TreatmentandSurvivorship/EducationalIssues.aspx
http://www.acco.org/Information/AboutChildhoodCancer/ChildhoodCancerStatistics.aspx