Know the Signs of Teen Cancer
28 August 2019 – CANSA strives to raise awareness of the symptoms of cancer affecting adolescents, during September (International Childhood Cancer Awareness month). This is particularly important, as in most cancers in children and teens, there are no known risk factors and the focus needs to be on raising awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer to aid early diagnosis. View infographics… #ChildhoodCancerAwareness #EarlyDetection
It’s estimated that at least two thirds of children with cancer never reach a specialist treatment centre and that the majority of those that do, are unfortunately in the advanced stages of their illness. Cancers affecting younger people share general symptoms with other illnesses, which can result in a misdiagnosis and there needs to be a determined effort by government to educate parents, medical and clinic staff to be aware of symptoms. In teens especially, the warning signs of cancer may be attributed to growing pains associated with this developmental stage, or with normal sports injuries as teens tend to be active. Parents and guardians need to be alert to symptoms that persist or recur repeatedly, as medical assistance should then be sought immediately. The St Siluan warning signs for cancer affecting kids may be found on the CANSA website, as well as a list of questions to ask your health care professional if your teenager has been diagnosed with cancer.
The cause of most cancers affecting teens is not known. Current international data suggests 10% of teens diagnosed, may have a genetic predisposition to it and those with HIV are at higher risk for certain cancers such as Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The top cancers currently affecting teens are non-Hodgkins, Hodgkins lymphomas, bone and soft tissue cancers (sarcomas), brain tumours, Kaposi sarcoma and leukaemia. View detailed information about symptoms here,
The CANSA Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) children / teens’ support programme embraces a holistic approach to include the emotional and social well-being of parents (guardians), children or teens and their siblings. Sharing of cancer related information, counselling, support groups, assistance with prostheses, ports, broviacs, medical equipment, hospital / ward support programmes, food & basic essential parcels to families in need and accommodation for parents (guardians) near treatment centres at TLC Lodges (Polokwane, Pretoria and Durban), form part of the service offering. CANSA TLC also supports the child who has a parent or sibling that has been diagnosed with cancer who sometimes, has become a caregiver. Parents or guardians needing support are encouraged to contact their local CANSA Care Centre and can also join the CANSA TLC Childhood Cancer Support Group on Facebook, where they can connect with others in a similar position. #CANSATLC
For more information, please contact Lucy Balona, Head: Marketing and Communication at CANSA at email lbalona@cansa.org.za. Call 011 616 7662 or mobile 082 459 5230.
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