Cancer prevention begins in childhood

 

Signs and symptoms of childhood cancer

Cancer can affect children however overall childhood cancer is very rare. Early detection of childhood cancer can be difficult. Physicians can help parents by encouraging them to bring their children in for checkups and to watch for unusual and persistent symptoms. These include:

  • Prolonged pallor, fatigue, fever and easy bruising or persistent bone pain

  • Lump or mass in the belly, neck or elsewhere

  • Severe headaches with vomiting

No specific causes have been identified for the vast majority of childhood cancers and therefore they can not be easily prevented.  This is not the case though for cancer during adulthood.

 

Lifetime cancer prevention should begin at childhood

Children who live healthful lives have a better chance of avoiding cancer as adults. Research shows that the majority of all cancers may be prevented with healthy lifestyle choices that should begin as early as childhood. Four easy and healthy lifestyle choices that may reduce your child’s risk of getting cancer during their lifetime include:

  • Avoiding passive smoking

  • Limiting time in the sun

  • Breast feeding and eating five servings of fruits and vegetables every day

  • Learning to exercise regularly (at least 3 times a week)

Passive smoking and cancer

Research shows that people who begin smoking as teenagers suffer more damage than those who begin smoking as adults. The best idea is to never smoke. Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds. More than 60 of these are known or suspected to cause cancer.

Passive smoking can be harmful in many ways. It is responsible for:

  • thousands of lung cancer deaths per year in non-smoking adults 

  • increased risk of breast cancer

  • increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, and more severe asthma in children.

Limit time in the sun

Skin damage occurs over time. Studies show that children tend to get 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure by age 18. Also skin cancer (melanoma), although rare, is significantly rising in children over the past decade.

  • Limit the amount of time you and your children are in the sun, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m

  • Use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher

  • Children should wear sunglasses or a hat with a visor to avoid damaging their eyes

Nutrition

Research shows that perhaps breastfeeding decreases the risk of  childhood leukaemia.

Also  eating five servings of fruit and vegetables every day can  reduce your risk of bladder,   colorectal,  oesophagus, lung, prostate, and stomach cancers. Generally, a serving is about ½ cup; this may be somewhat smaller for children.

 

Plan your meals in advance to include fruits and veggies. Keep washed, pre-cut fruits and veggies on hand for a healthy snack, such as:

  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Broccoli
  • Apples
  • Orange slices

Exercise

All it takes is 30 minutes a day, three to four times a week. Regular exercise may help decrease your risk of several types of cancer, including colorectal and prostate cancer.  Encourage your children to get involved in activities. Turn off the TV and get them outside and doing something physical.

 

Sources / Links

http://www.cclg.org.uk/

http://www.cancer.org/

 

Article contributed by Dr Stergios Zacharoulis, Consultant Paediatrian and Paediatric Oncologist.