Parents told 'recognise 3 patterns' as childhood cancer risk on par with diabetes

Parents told 'recognise 3 patterns' as childhood cancer risk on par with diabetes A new study has warned the risk of childhood cancer is not as rare as parents may think Parents and carers are being told to “recognise patterns” of change in their child, as a new study revealed the risk of childhood cancer is not as rare as some believe it. Nearly 2,000 children under the age of 15 are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year, and it’s the leading cause of death from disease in children. Published in the British Journal of General Practice, the study found the likelihood of a child getting cancer is on par with other serious diagnoses like diabetes, epilepsy and bacterial meningitis. While parents often memorise the signs and symptoms of these other conditions, children displaying the warning signs of cancer may not be recognised. A survey from The Children and Young People's Cancer Association (CCLG) found more than half of respondents said the likelihood of childhood cancer is higher than they expected. Symptoms of childhood cancer can mimic common childhood illnesses and viral infections, so the experts are asking parents to watch for patterns instead of singular signs. Experts at CCLG, shared three ‘patterns’ parent should watch out for that could mean more medical investigation is needed. Dr Sharna Shanmugavadivel, a Paediatric Emergency Medicine doctor and the Child Cancer Smart Lead, added: “Parents know their child better than anyone. Our aim is not to cause concern, but to empower families with the knowledge and confidence to recognise when something feels different, speak to a healthcare professional when needed, and support earlier diagnosis that can improve outcomes for children with cancer.” Persistent symptoms Symptoms that do not improve or go away as expected and keep coming back after a child has been unwell is the first key sign that something bigger could be at play, even if the symptoms seem to be a common cold. Parents and carers are urged to look out for symptoms that last longer than expected or if it takes their child longer than usual to recover from an illness. A symptom that continues despite time and usual care may need further medical advice. Progressive symptoms Similarly, if a child starts experiencing worsening symptoms or the symptoms start appearing more frequently and change over time rather than improving, this should be investigated. The experts shared: “For example, a child may start with one symptom, such as a headache, but over time the symptom may become more severe or additional symptoms may appear.” Clustered symptoms If your child is experiencing a group of symptoms at the same time rather than a single symptom, this could be a warning sign even if the symptoms seemingly aren’t related to each other. For example, if a child has ongoing tiredness, unexplained bruising and persistent fevers or pain. The symptoms of childhood cancer can vary depending on the exact type of cancer, but some of the more general signs include: - Persistent tiredness or paleness - Repeated infections - Flu-like symptoms that don't go away - Unexplained bruising or bleeding - Ongoing fever or night sweats - Persistent aches or pains - Unexplained lumps or swelling - Limping or leg weakness - Changes in bowel habits - Unexplained weight loss - Slow growth - Changes in behaviour