Risk Factor For Cancer


Different kinds of cancer have different risk factors. Some of the major risk factors include the following:

• Cancers of the lung, mouth, larynx, bladder, kidney, cervix esophagus, and pancreas are related to tobacco use, including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff. Smoking alone causes one-third of all cancer deaths.
• Skin cancer is related to unprotected exposure to strong sunlight.
• Breast cancer risk factors include several factors: age; changes in hormone levels throughout life, such as age at first menstruation, number of pregnancies, and age at menopause; obesity; and physical activity. Some studies have also shown a connection between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of breast cancer. Also, women with a mother or sister who have had breast cancer are more likely to develop the disease themselves.
• While all men are at risk for prostate cancer, several factors can increase the chances of developing the disease, such as age, race, and diet. The chance of getting prostate cancer goes up with age. Prostate cancer is more common among African-American men than among white men. (We do not yet know why this is so.) A high-fat diet may play a part in causing prostate cancer. Also, men with a father or brother who have had prostate cancer are more likely to get prostate cancer themselves.

Overall, environmental factors, defined broadly to include tobacco use, diet, and infectious diseases, as well as chemicals and radiation cause an estimated 75% of all cancer cases in the United States. Among these factors, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and physical activity are more likely to affect personal cancer risk. Research shows that about one-third of all cancer deaths are related to dietary factors and lack of physical activity in adulthood.

Pediatric Cancer Information


What Is Childhood Cancer?

About 9,200 children under the age of 15 in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in 2004. Because of significant advances in therapy, 78% of these children will survive 5 years or more, an increase of almost 46% since the early 1960s.
Despite its rarity and the impressive strides in treatment and supportive care, cancer is still the leading cause of death (an estimated 1,510 deaths in 2004) from disease in children younger than 15 years old, second only to accidents in most age groups. Death rates from childhood cancer have declined about 49% since 1975.

The types of cancers that occur in children vary greatly from those seen in adults. Leukemias, brain and other nervous system tumors, lymphomas (lymph node cancers), bone cancers, soft tissue sarcomas, kidney cancers, eye cancers, and adrenal gland cancers are the most common cancers of children, while skin, prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal cancers are the most common in adults. The stage of growth and development is another important difference between adults and children; the immaturity of children's organ systems often has important treatment implications.

What Are the Types of Childhood Cancers?

Leukemia - children's (in the form of acute lymphocytic/lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL])is the most common childhood malignancy and accounts for about 33% of all childhood cancers.

Wilms tumor is a cancer that may affect one or both kidneys. It is most often found in children between 2 and 3 years old.

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial (outside of the brain) solid tumor in children and most often diagnosed during the first year of life. This tumor can appear anywhere but usually occurs in the abdomen (stomach) as a swelling.

Retinoblastoma is a cancer of the eye. Although relatively rare, it accounts for 5% of childhood blindness.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. The tumor originates from the same embryonic cells that develop into striated (voluntary) muscles.

Brain and spinal cord tumors in children are the second most common cancers in children. Most brain cancers of children involve the cerebellum or brain stem. Adults are more likely to develop cancers in different parts of the brain -- usually the cerebral hemispheres. Spinal cord tumors are less common than brain tumors in both children and adults.

Bone cancer is uncommon, comprising approximately 0.2% of all new cancer cases in the US. The incidence of primary bone cancer (cancers starting in bones) is highest in children and adolescents, but metastatic bone cancer, or cancer that has spread to the bone, is more common than primary bone cancer in all age groups.

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary bone cancer in children and young adults.

Ewing's family of tumors is a less common primary bone cancer that occurs mostly in children and adolescents.

Hodgkin disease, sometimes called Hodgkin lymphoma, is a cancer that starts in lymphatic tissue. Lymphatic tissue includes the lymph nodes and related organs that are part of the body's immune and blood-forming systems. Hodgkin disease can occur in both children and adults. It is more common, though, in 2 age groups: early adulthood (age 15 to 40, usually 25 to 30) and late adulthood (after age 55). Hodgkin disease is rare before 5 years of age. About 10% to 15% of cases are diagnosed in children 16 years of age and younger.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the third most common childhood malignancy and occurs approximately 1½ times as often as Hodgkin disease in childhood. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in lymphoid tissue.

What Are the Risk Factors and Causes of Childhood Cancer?

Many pediatric cancers occur very early in life and many parents want to know why. Some of these cancers are the result of a familial predisposition (cancer runs in family). Radiation exposure contributes to certain types of childhood cancers. Unlike cancers of adults, childhood cancers are not significantly related to lifestyle-related risk factors such as tobacco or alcohol use, poor diet, or not enough physical activity. The cause of most childhood cancers is not known.

Can Childhood Cancers Be Detected Early?

Cancers in children often are difficult to recognize. Parents should see that their children have regular medical checkups and should be alert to any unusual signs or symptoms that persist. These include an unusual mass or swelling; unexplained paleness and loss of energy; sudden tendency to bruise; a persistent, localized pain or limping; prolonged, unexplained fever or illness; frequent headaches, often with vomiting; sudden eye or vision changes; and excessive, rapid weight loss.

How Are Childhood Cancers Treated?

Childhood cancers can be treated with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy or by a combination of two or more of these therapies. Although there are exceptions, childhood cancers tend to respond well to chemotherapy because they are cancers that grow fast. Most forms of chemotherapy specifically affect growing cells.
Children with cancer and their families have special needs that can be best met by children's cancer centers. Treatment of childhood cancer in specialized centers takes advantage of a team of specialists who know the differences between adult and childhood cancers, as well as the unique needs of children with cancers. This team usually includes pediatric oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, pediatric oncology nurses and nurse practitioners.

The treatment of childhood cancer also involves many professionals other than nurses and doctors. Children's cancer centers have psychologists, social workers, child life specialists, nutritionists, rehabilitation and physical therapists, and educators who can support and educate the entire family.

Since the 1960s, most children with cancer have been treated at specialized centers designed for children. Approximately, 94% of children with cancer in the United States are treated at a children's cancer center that is a member of the Children's Oncology Group (COG). All of these centers are associated with a university and most with a children's hospital.

These centers will be able to offer your child the most up-to-date-treatment through participation clinical trials, or studies of promising new therapies. Be sure your child is treated at a center that can offer him or her participation in a clinical trial.

Five-year survival rates vary considerably, depending on the type of cancer your child has. For all sites, the 5-year survival rate is 78%; neuroblastoma, 68%; brain and central nervous system, 70%; bone and joint, 72%; acute lymphocytic leukemia, 85%; Wilms tumor (kidney), 91%; and Hodgkin lymphoma, 94%.

The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed. Five-year rates are used to produce a standard way of discussing prognosis (outlook for recovery and survival). Of course, many children live much longer than 5 years. Five-year survival rates are based on patients diagnosed and initially treated more than 5 years ago. Improvements in treatment often result in a more favorable outlook for recently diagnosed patients.

Many pediatric cancers occur very early in life and many parents want to know why. Some of these cancers are the result of a familial predisposition (cancer runs in family). Radiation exposure contributes to certain types of childhood cancers. Unlike cancers of adults, childhood cancers are not significantly related to lifestyle-related risk factors such as tobacco or alcohol use, poor diet, or not enough physical activity. The cause of most childhood cancers is not known.


Moving on After Treatment for Childhood Cancer

You and your child have been through a lot -- testing, diagnosis, treatment. And through it all you've endured physical and emotional stress. You're probably wondering, "now what do I do?" We're here to help you pick up the pieces and help you manage your continuing experience with cancer. Here are some things you should be aware of.

For several years after treatment, it is very important for your child to have regular follow-up visits with the cancer doctor (oncologist). The doctor will continue to watch for signs of disease, as well as for short-term and long-term side effects of treatment. Possible long-term problems could include damage to the heart or reproductive system, and the development of a second cancer.

Check-ups after treatment include a careful physical exam, x-rays, and lab tests. Children who have a relapse usually do so while on treatment or shortly after.

A benefit of follow-up care is that it gives you a chance to talk about any questions or concerns that come up during and after your child's recovery. It is important that you report any new symptoms to the doctor right away so that they can be treated. Also, the doctor or other members of the health care team can tell you about special programs to help children and their families after diagnosis and treatment for childhood cancer.

Remember that your child's body is unique, and so are his or her emotional needs and personal circumstances. In some ways, your child's cancer is like no one else's. No one can predict how it will respond to treatment. Statistics can paint an overall picture, but your child may have special strengths such as a healthy immune system, a strong family support system, or a deep spiritual faith. All of these have an impact on how he or she copes with cancer.

Please Note:
The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Seek qualified medical advice if you exhibit any of the symptoms described on this site.