Last week, we started our discussion about childhood cancer. The diagnosis of cancer in a child can be devastating for the child and their entire family. Today we are going to continue our discussion, focusing on how childhood cancers are treated and how families can be supported during this very difficult time.
How is Childhood Cancer Treated?
Treatment depends on several things, including:
The type of cancer- The location of the cancer – Including whether it has spread from the primary location
- The cancer stage
- The age of the child.
- Whether the cancer is a new diagnosis or is a recurrence of a previously treated cancer.
The main treatments for childhood cancer include:
- Surgery – removing as much of the tumor as possible
- Chemotherapy – powerful medicines that kill or stop cancer cells from growing
- Radiation therapy – can shrink tumors and kill cancer cells
- Immunotherapy – helps the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells
- Targeted therapy – drugs that target specific features of cancer cells
How Effective is Treatment?
Thanks to great research over many years, over 80% of children with cancer in the US survive 5 years or more. However, for certain types of childhood cancer, the chance of survival remains low. Unfortunately, about 90% of children with cancer live in countries without access to adequate diagnosis and treatment. Most of these children will die from their cancer. Continuing research is needed to improve diagnosis and treatment in the US and worldwide. Support for childhood cancer research is vital in the fight against this devastating disease.
How Can Families Be Supported?
Treatment of childhood cancer can be long and challenging. Families often face emotional, financial, and logistical burdens. Parents usually need to take extended time off work, which is often unpaid. The stress on parents is significant, especially if they have other children, and/or lack family or community support.
Other children in the family can suffer from significant emotional challenges, including sadness and anxiety. Siblings may feel overlooked as parents focus on the sick child, leading to feelings of anger, jealousy, and guilt. All of these feelings are normal, but can affect a child’s behavior, school performance, and social interactions. Siblings of children with cancer need honest communication, emotional reassurance, and dedicated support to help them cope with stress, fear, and changes in family routines.
Parents and caregivers can seek guidance from hospital staff for help. Hospitals have social workers on staff to help families find resources to help and often offer sibling and parent support groups or other supportive resources. Organizations such as the National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) can help provide support for families, including help with transportation, financial assistance, counseling, and survivorship resources, to help families navigate care and life during and after treatment.
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Dr. Anita Bennett MD – Health Tip Content Editor