Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children younger than 15 years old, after accidents.
Just like in adults, spotting cancer early in kids can lead to better outcomes, but some parents don’t know what to look for.
More than 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in the U.S., but do you know the signs of cancer in kids?
In a new report published in the Journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, researchers surveyed adults on how effectively they could spot 42 classic signs of cancer in kids.
On average, the participants only recognized 11 signs in total. And only 1 in 10 knew some of the most subtle symptoms.
The most common cancers in kids are leukemias, brain and central nervous system tumors, and lymphomas. While you might recognize signs like a lump, swelling, or pain, other symptoms are less obvious. B
rain tumors can be hard to diagnose and can cause a number of different symptoms including persistent headaches, dizziness, seizures, clumsiness, and being sick when waking up in the morning.
A routine eye test by an optician can sometimes detect warning signs of pressure build-up at the back of the eye as a result of a brain tumor.
Eye cancer usually affects young children under the age of 6 years old with symptoms such as a white glow in the eye usually seen in photos or other eye changes.
Some lesser-known signs of cancer in children include early or late puberty, developmental delays, slow growth, slow recovery from bone injuries, abnormal facial movements, and hearing problems.
While these symptoms can mimic those of other ailments, it’s important to get them checked out.
More than 80% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more thanks to major treatment advances. The average age a child is diagnosed with cancer is 8.