User:Mikaroni888/Childhood cancer

With the advancement of new treatments for childhood cancer, 85% of children with cancer now survive 5-years or more. This is an increase from the mid-1970s where only 58% of children with childhood cancer survived 5-years or more. However, this survival rate is dependent on many factors such as the type of cancer, age of onset, location of the cancer, cancer stage, and if there is any genetic component to the cancer. Survival rate is also impacted by socioeconomic status and access to resources during treatment.

Since adult survivors of childhood cancer are living longer and due to the toxic nature of cancer treatment, these individuals are more likely to experience early onset, chronic health conditions that is often associated with the therapeutic used in their treatment. This can include problems with organ function, growth and development, neurocognitive function and academic achievement, and risk for additional cancers.

Premature heart disease is one example of the major long-term consequences seen in adult survivors of childhood cancer. These individuals are eight times more likely to die of heart disease than other people, and more than half of children treated for cancer develop some type of cardiac abnormality, although this may be asymptomatic or too mild to qualify for a clinical diagnosis of heart disease.

Childhood cancer survivors are also at risk of developing adverse effects on the liver. This risk is increased in those who have had radiotherapy to the liver and in people with factors such as higher body mass index and chronic viral hepatitis. Certain treatments and liver surgery may also increase the risk of adverse liver effects in childhood cancer survivors.

To help monitor survivors of childhood cancer for these long-term consequences, a set of guidelines has been created to facilitate long-term follow-up for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors. This provides guidance to healthcare professionals on how to provide high-quality follow-up care and supervision for cancer survivors as well as engaging with oncology specialists regarding recommendations specific to an individual patient.

Treatment

Childhood cancer treatment is individualized and varies based on the severity & type of cancer. In general, treatment can include surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplant, or immunotherapy.

Recent medical advances have improved our understanding of the genetic basis of childhood cancers. Treatment options are expanding, and precision medicine for childhood cancers is a rapidly growing area of research.

The side effects of chemotherapy can result in immediate and long-term treatment-related comorbidities. For children undergoing treatment for high-risk cancer, more than 80% experience life-threatening or fatal toxicity as a result of their treatment.

Psychosocial care of children with cancer is also important during the cancer journey, but the implementation of evidence-based interventions need to be further spread across pediatric cancer centers. In general, psychosocial care can include therapy with a psychologist or psychiatrist, referral to a social worker, or referral to a pastoral counselor. Family-centered psychosocial care is another modality that can be used to not only support the child with cancer but also help support parents and caregivers of the child.

Foundations:

Currently, there are various organizations whose main focus is fighting childhood cancer. Organizations focused on childhood cancer through cancer research and/or support programs include: Childhood Cancer Canada, Young Lives vs Cancer and the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (in United Kingdom), Child Cancer Foundation (in New Zealand), Children's Cancer Recovery Foundation (in United States), American Childhood Cancer Organization (in United States), Childhood Cancer Support (Australia) and the Hayim Association (in Israel). Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation allows people across the US to raise money for pediatric cancer research by organizing lemonade stands. The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation focuses on finding less toxic and more effective treatments for pediatric cancers. This foundation works with 24 different hospitals across the US in search of treatments effective in practice. Childhood Cancer International is the largest global pediatric cancer foundation. It focuses on early access to care for childhood cancers, focusing on patient support and patient advocacy.

According to estimates by experts in the field of pediatric cancer, by 2020, cancer will cost $158 million annually for both research and treatment which marks a 27% increase since 2010. Ways in which the foundations are helped by people include writing checks, collecting spare coins, bake/lemonade sales, donating portions of purchases from stores or restaurants, or Paid Time Off donations as well as auctions, bike rides, dance-a-thons. Additionally, many of the major foundations have donation buttons on their respective websites.

In addition to advancing research focusing on cancer, the foundations above also offer support to families whose children are affected by the disease. Some organizations such as the National Children's Cancer Society and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society can provide financial support to assist with the costs associated with childhood cancer like medical care, home care, child care, and transportation. Different foundations also fund support groups within hospitals and online for families to aid in the coping process. Having a support network during this time is important because the emotional challenges that a parent encounters can disrupt their child's treatment, parenting and support for the ill child and other siblings, and impact overall family stability.

The foundations for pediatric cancer all fall under the 501(c)3 designation which means that they are non-profit organizations that are tax-exempt. The "International Childhood Cancer Day" occurs annually on February 15.