Understand
Childhood cancer symptoms: What parents should look out for
Overview
Although childhood cancer is rare, it is the leading cause of death from disease among children under 15 in the UK, yet under a third of parents feel confident recognising the symptoms. Experts advise parents to watch for clusters of persistent or worsening symptoms, such as extreme tiredness, paleness, unexplained bruises, and growing lumps. A national awareness campaign highlights a 'rule of three' to help professionals improve diagnosis times, noting that early detection can lead to less intensive treatments and better outcomes.
Key points
- Cancer is the leading cause of death from disease among children under 15 in the UK, with about 1,900 children aged 0-14 diagnosed annually.
- Only a minority of parents feel confident recognising childhood cancer symptoms, which can initially be mistaken for fatigue or common illnesses.
- Key symptoms to watch for include extreme tiredness, looking pale, unexplained bruising, and growing lumps or bumps.
- A professional 'rule-of-three' guideline suggests considering a referral if a child has three persistent symptoms, three GP visits, or three weeks of unexplained symptoms.
- Survival rates for childhood cancer in the UK exceed 80% for those surviving five to ten years or more past diagnosis.