Why the Impacts of Childhood Cancer Matter
Each day while we are going about our daily lives, surfing the web, watching tv, taking the dog for a walk, grocery shopping, running errands, getting a pedicure, or sitting on the sidelines of a little league game, it is important to note the impacts of cancer are there all around us whether they directly impact us or not.
Facts
Childhood cancer is especially heartbreaking and ugly because it cuts lives, that should be lived long and healthy, short with cruelty. 7 kids a day die from cancer. Childhood cancer is NOT decreasing as many (even reputable) organizations and agencies lead the public to believe. It is on the rise in children (see NCI Pediatric Cancer Research and Pedatric Cancer Related Activies, page 7 and House Report NO. 111-220, page 109). Each year around 13,500 children are diagnosed, and 35,000 are in treatment. 25% of those diagnosed with cancer die. There are several types of pediatric cancers such as Neuroblastoma that are terminal upon progression or reoccurence. When you think about it, more children die each year from cancer then all the adult deaths from the 9/11 tragedies. Cancer kills more kids then AIDs, asthma, diabetes, and cystic fibrosis. Diseases that have budgets for research larger than Pediatric cancer...makes you think.
Impacts we know about
There are of course the obvious impacts of cancer. Families suffer significant resource and emotional drain. There is the persistent fear that a survivor will have a reoccurance of their cancer or a secondary illness from treatment. A childhood cancer surivor might experience emotional and behavioral issues. Prolonged depression, insominia, or and constant fear of reoccurance. 74% of childhood cancer survivors have chronic illnesses, and some 40% of childhood cancer survivors have severe illnesses or die from such illnesses (kids v. cancer).
Then there are the not so known impacts like cancer treatments can affect a child’s growth, fertility, and endocrine system. Child survivors may be permanently immunologically suppressed. Radiation to a child’s brain can significantly damage cognitive function, or if radiation is given at a very young age, limiting the ability to read, do basic math, tell time or even talk. Physical and neurocognitive disabilities resulting from treatment may prevent childhood cancer survivors from fully participating in school, social activities and eventually work, which can cause depression and feelings of isolation. (NCI and Kids v. Cancer). Survivors are 20 to 25 percent more likely "to never marry" compared with siblings and the general population, according to findings published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Often parents and siblings have a type of Survivor's guilt or PTSD.
Impacts on Siblings
Siblings that are younger experience jealously because of the special attention the cancer fighter may get - not fully understanding the seriousness of the diagnosis which is why it is always a good idea for friends, family, and organizations to support siblings and include them in planning special events and other activities. It is also common for siblings to have emotional and behavorial issues, acting out at school, suffering from depression, insomnia, etc. Younger children may also become overly clingy or impulsive. Older children or teenagers, on the other hand, may become angry or distant and withdraw from family activities and friends (Family Life - Cancer.net).
Children often lack the emotional maturity and experience to understand their emotions and may not have words to describe how they feel. Because children often don't talk about how they are feeling, they frequently express their feelings and needs through behavior. The following behaviors are common and normal among siblings of children with cancer:
Misbehaving or acting out in negative, attention-seeking ways at home or school
Increased separation anxiety, such as acting "clingy," not wanting to leave mom or dad, or not wanting to go to school
Withdrawing from the family or wanting to be alone
Regressing or acting younger, such as a preschooler wanting to go back to diapers or an older child using baby language or sucking his or her thumb
Demanding or entitled behaviors, such as wanting new toys during every trip to the store or demanding special foods
Increased physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomachaches, or bedwetting
Having trouble sleeping and/or nightmares
Being moody and irritable, including temper tantrums, fighting with parents or siblings, or crying a lot
Performing worse academically or having difficulty concentrating
Demonstrating "extra good" behavior; some children try to take care of the rest of the family by being behaving well and suppressing their own feelings
A type of PTSD
Impacts on Marriage
Pedatric cancer has the greatest effect on marriages and other long-term partnerships. After a diagnosis of a child with cancer, both parents may experience sadness, anxiety, anger, stress, guilt, or even hopelessness. There may be shifts in relationships and in the way spouses organize to take care of household chores or family activities. For some couples, facing the challenges of cancer together strengthens their relationship and commitment. For others, especially those who struggled before the diagnosis, the stress of cancer may create more problems guilt, and blame.
Impacts on Friendships
Friendships change. Many people have little experience with life-threatening illnesses and don't know what to say or how to act when a child has cancer. It may be frightening to some because it is a reminder that cancer can happen to anyone and it is a natural leap to think of your own child in relation. Others may have lost a loved one to cancer, and the diagnosis may bring up painful memories. For these reasons, some friends or family members may not be able to offer the support that one would normally expect. With children who have lost friends from cancer or even just knew of a child with cancer - they will often suffer depression, seeking an outlet to express themselves.
Impacts on Society
Still think you are not impacted by pediatric cancer? Think again. When you think about key figures in history, like Plato, Gandhi, Curry, Lincoln, Einstein, etc. we can paint a very vivid picture of their contributions to society. Consider the average age a child dies from cancer is around 8 or 9. Their life expectency is cut short some 68 years. So one can conclude that any number of these great children that have had their lives cut short could have contributed significantly to society. Has the cure for cancer been delayed and lays just beyond our grasp because we keep losing some of our most intelligent minds too early?
