A 14-year-old boy died from leukaemia after his family initially thought his tiredness and lack of appetite were due to "typical teenage changes." Fred Bennett was 13 when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in July 2019. He died in May 2020, nine months after diagnosis.
Family mistook symptoms for normal changes
Fred's mother, Louise Bennett, 50, from Rugby, Warwickshire, said the family thought his tiredness and loss of appetite were just typical changes and the end of the school year. He had recently broken his shoulder in a rugby tackle, so they thought he needed rest.
When his glands began to swell, they suspected glandular fever and took him to the GP, who recommended a blood test. Within hours, they were in A&E being told it was leukaemia. Fred was immediately transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital to begin treatment.
Treatment failed to stop the disease
Fred began a three-year chemotherapy plan, but after his first six-week course, leukaemia remained in his bone marrow. He was moved to a stronger treatment, which was also ineffective. Early in 2020, he became eligible for CAR T-cell therapy, a new treatment using the body's own cells. Despite complications, including a seizure and a positive COVID diagnosis, the family remained hopeful.
Louise said: "Fred died shortly after he had received the CAR T-cells, nine months after diagnosis. They proved to be no match for the leukaemia, which suddenly picked up speed and overwhelmed him. It all happened so quickly that he never knew he was dying."
Parents urged to learn cancer signs
Louise said she knew the signs of meningitis and sepsis, but a cancer diagnosis was "completely off our radar." She is urging all parents to be aware of cancer signs. A study in the British Journal of General Practice found a child's risk of developing cancer is comparable to the risks of other childhood conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, and bacterial meningitis.
Dr Sharna Shanmugavadivel, a paediatric emergency medicine doctor, said: "While childhood cancer is uncommon, it is important that families understand it is not as rare as many people may think. Many people will be surprised to learn that the risk of a child developing cancer is comparable to the risks of other childhood conditions."
She added: "Parents know their child better than anyone. Our aim is not to cause concern, but to empower families with the knowledge and confidence to recognise when something feels different, speak to a healthcare professional when needed, and support earlier diagnosis that can improve outcomes for children with cancer. If symptoms don't go away after two weeks or something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and see a doctor."
Patterns to watch for
The Children and Young People's Cancer Association advises parents to watch for three patterns: persistent symptoms that do not improve or go away as expected, progressive symptoms that get worse or change over time, and clustered symptoms that appear together rather than alone. For example, ongoing tiredness alongside unexplained bruising, persistent pain, fever, or a lump may need further medical advice.
Common signs of childhood cancer include persistent tiredness or paleness, repeated infections, flu-like symptoms that don't go away, unexplained bruising or bleeding, ongoing fever or night sweats, persistent aches or pains, unexplained lumps or swelling, limping or leg weakness, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, slow growth, and changes in behaviour. Around 1,900 children aged 0-14 are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year, and cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children.
