7 Myths on Cancer in Children (Debunked)
Dr Anselm Lee, a paediatric haematologist-oncologist at Parkway Cancer Centre, discusses what we know and do not know about why children get cancer.
With rising cancer rates worldwide, there is no shortage of information these days about the disease, especially when it involves adult cancers.
But not as much is known about cancers affecting children. While such cancers are rare, they still affect about one in every 500 persons before their 18th birthday. The most common type of childhood cancers are leukaemia, brain tumour and lymphoma.
Much of what we know about adult cancers, though, are not applicable to childhood cancers. Here are seven common myths about cancer in children:
Childhood cancers: What we know
- Cancers in children are rare: Only 1 in 500 are likely to get it before their 18th birthday.
- Only 2 per cent of childhood cancers have a familial origin or predisposition. Most cases occur randomly, and the causes are largely unknown.
- The most common type of childhood cancers are leukaemia, brain tumour and lymphoma.
- Leukaemia, the most common cancer in children, affects 1 in 30,000 children every year.
- About 75 per cent of children diagnosed with cancer in Singapore and most other developed countries will survive.
- Most children with cancer do not suffer any damage to their organs from treatment.
7 Myths on Cancer in Children (Debunked) originally appeared on Parkway Cancer Centre and has been republished with permission
Further Reading
The article above is meant to provide general information and does not replace a doctor's consultation.
Please see your doctor for professional advice.