Differentiating Childhood Cancer From Adult Cancer

All forms of cancer, whether that of an adult or a child, share the same common denominator: the disease starts from uncommon cell growth resulting to abnormal shapes or sizes that ruin neighboring cells and eventually spread to the tissues and organs of the body. For children, developing cancer causes the destruction of their bones and organs while weakening them on the whole. This weakness translates to a frangible immune system, making them susceptible to infections and other illnesses.

Statistics shows that in America alone, 14 out of 100,000 children get diagnosed with cancer annually. Common cancers that strike children are brain cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia. Compared to adults, cancers among children are not often caused by exposure to environmental hazards and harmful health habits like smoking. Although rare, children born with genetic conditions like Down Syndrome have a higher risk of getting cancer. Also, those who had undergone cancer treatments due to a previously diagnosed cancer condition have increased chances. But by and large, most childhood cancers strike randomly, developing from non-hereditary changes in their developing cells' genes. Hence, it's difficult to exercise early prevention since it can't be predicted whether a child is susceptible to cancer or not.


Contributed By: Maris Modesto