Key facts
- Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death from disease among children under 15 in the UK.
- Approximately 1,900 children aged 0-14 are diagnosed with cancer annually in the UK.
- Key symptoms to watch for include extreme tiredness, paleness, unexplained bruises, and persistent lumps or bumps.
- Cancer in children develops more quickly than in adults due to their growth.
- A national campaign aims to raise awareness and improve diagnosis times for childhood cancer.
- Survival rates for childhood cancer in the UK exceed 80%.
Childhood cancer, the leading cause of death from disease among children under 15 in the UK, can be easily missed due to subtle or easily overlooked symptoms. Experts are urging greater awareness among parents and healthcare professionals to improve diagnosis times, which can lead to less intensive treatments and better survival rates.
Around 1,900 children aged 0-14 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the UK. Amelia Carroll, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) at 13 and is now in remission, experienced initial symptoms like tiredness and breathlessness that were attributed to general fatigue. It was only when she developed unexplained bruises that her condition was identified.
Professor Bob Phillips, a paediatric oncologist, emphasizes the importance of recognizing clusters of persistent or worsening symptoms. Key signs include extreme tiredness, paleness, unexplained bruises, and lumps or bumps that are growing. Cancer in children develops rapidly due to their growth, making early detection crucial.
A national campaign is underway to raise awareness and shorten diagnosis times. Professionals are advised to consider referral if a child has three persistent symptoms, has visited a doctor three times, or has had three weeks of unexplained symptoms. While survival rates have significantly improved since the 1970s, with over 80% of children surviving beyond five to 10 years, quicker diagnosis could further enhance outcomes.
Lynsey Swinscoe shared the story of her son, Jake, who died of soft tissue cancer at 13. His initial symptoms of a stuffy nose and watery eyes were mistaken for hayfever. A swelling on his nose led to his diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma. Despite undergoing chemotherapy and proton beam radiation, Jake opted out of further treatment and passed away shortly before his 14th birthday. His mother is raising awareness in his memory.
Data from Cancer Research UK indicates that while about half of children diagnosed with cancer receive a diagnosis within two weeks, a significant portion wait much longer. The British Medical Journal (BMJ) reported that only 54% of new cancer cases in the UK are diagnosed within the 28-day NHS target window.