Nearly 2,000 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year, and it is the leading cause of death from disease in children. A new study published in the British Journal of General Practice found that the likelihood of a child getting cancer is on par with other serious diagnoses like diabetes, epilepsy, and bacterial meningitis.
While parents often memorise the signs and symptoms of these other conditions, children displaying the warning signs of cancer may not be recognised. A survey from The Children and Young People's Cancer Association (CCLG) found that more than half of respondents said the likelihood of childhood cancer is higher than they expected.
Three patterns to watch for
Symptoms of childhood cancer can mimic common childhood illnesses and viral infections, so experts are asking parents to watch for patterns instead of singular signs. Experts at CCLG shared three 'patterns' parents should watch out for that could mean more medical investigation is needed.
Dr Sharna Shanmugavadivel, a Paediatric Emergency Medicine doctor and the Child Cancer Smart Lead, said: “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.”
Persistent, progressive, and clustered symptoms
The first key sign is persistent symptoms that do not improve or go away as expected and keep coming back after a child has been unwell, even if the symptoms seem to be a common cold. Parents and carers are urged to look out for symptoms that last longer than expected or if it takes their child longer than usual to recover from an illness.
Similarly, if a child starts experiencing worsening symptoms or the symptoms start appearing more frequently and change over time rather than improving, this should be investigated. The experts said: “For example, a child may start with one symptom, such as a headache, but over time the symptom may become more severe or additional symptoms may appear.”
If your child is experiencing a group of symptoms at the same time rather than a single symptom, this could be a warning sign even if the symptoms seemingly aren’t related to each other. For example, if a child has ongoing tiredness, unexplained bruising and persistent fevers or pain.
General signs of childhood cancer
The symptoms of childhood cancer can vary depending on the exact type of cancer, but some of the more general signs 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.
Parents noticing these patterns are urged to see their doctor and 'trust your instincts'.
