Childhood Cancer Statistics

 

Other Facts & Statistics:

1. Childhood cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. (Source: St. Baldrick's Foundation)
2. Childhood cancer does not discriminate, sparing no ethnic group, socio-economic class or geographic region. (Source: CureSearch)
3. 300,000 children around the world will be diagnosed with cancer each year. (Source: St. Baldrick's Foundation)
4. 1 out of every 300 males and 1 out of every 333 females in America will develop cancer before their 20th birthday. (Source: American Society of Clinical Oncology)
5. More than 95% of childhood cancer survivors will have a chronic health problem by age 40 because of the radiation and chemo treatments they received as a child. (Source: St. Baldrick's Foundation)
6. 60% of children who survive cancer suffer late-effects, such as infertility, heart failure, and secondary cancers. (Source: CureSearch)
7. Radiation to a child’s brain can significantly damage cognitive function, or if radiation is given at a very young age, limiting the ability to read, do basic math, tell time or even talk. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

Possible Signs and Symptoms in Children:

• An unusual lump or swelling
• Unexplained paleness and loss of energy
• Easy bruising
• An ongoing pain in one area of the body
• Limping
• Unexplained fever or illness that doesn’t go away
• Frequent headaches, often with vomiting
• Sudden eye or vision changes
• Sudden unexplained weight loss