What Do We Know About Childhood Cancer?

Image Source:wikimedia.org

Image Source:wikimedia.org

What Do We Know About Childhood Cancer?

September marks Childhood Cancer Awareness, so it only makes sense that we try to learn more about how children are getting this disease at such an early stage.

Organizations all over the world are struggling to find a cure for such a deplorable disease. It has taken millions of lives and continues to affect more if a proper cure is not created and developed soon. What is worse than cancer among adults is the fact that children can get it to, and the reason remains unclear. All we know is that a bunch of cells in a child’s body suddenly became rogue and attack other cells and tissues that surround it.

Thousands of innocent children annually are diagnosed with pediatric cancer. It is estimates that close to 16,000 young ones below 20 years of age will be affected by the end of the year. It is the disease that kills the most children, killing more than AIDs, diabetes, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and other congenital problems combined.

This is why we have to celebrate September in honor of those children who lost their lives at an early stage, without being given the chance to achieve their fullest potential. Live cut short by a disease we cannot control, at least not yet.

This is why, as adults—as parents, friends, and relatives—we have to fight harder in order to eliminate this threat. We have to help save the lives of innocent children who are and will be diagnosed with this disease.

Progress on Childhood Cancer Research Has Not Been Futile

The good news is that there has been verifiable progress in the fight against childhood cancer. Treatment methods have significantly improved and clinical trials with increased participation are bearing fruit, so much so that mortality rates for a number of childhood cancer has decreased by over 50 percent in a span of three decades.

Advances in scientific research has been satisfactory, which gives light to the possibility of a cancer-free future for children. Under the Obama administration the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act has been signed into law on April 3, 2014, paving the way for the establishment of the Ten-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund.

Let Us Do What We Can to Promote Awareness on Childhood Cancer

Since September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we must put our best foot forward and do whatever it is we can to ensure that people are taking the necessary steps to help eliminate cancer and save the lives of so many innocent children. losing children to a disease that we know little of is just too painful to accept. We must encourage scientists, doctors, health care providers, and all the rest who support the cause.

Keep up-to-date with your community’s events and fundraisers, and if childhood cancer is not included, a simple recommendation can go a long way. Check out our homepage and browse through our informative health articles. Share it with friends and family as well!