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Study reveals gaps in awareness of childhood cancer signs

Early diagnosis can be life saving

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and more than 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States.

Early diagnosis can be life saving, but some of the warning signs can be subtle or difficult to recognize.

Wednesday (Sept. 4) morning, Local 4 revealed the symptoms parents can watch for and which ones you shouldn’t wait to get checked out.

In a new report published in the journal “Archives of Disease in Childhood,” researchers surveyed adults on how effectively they could spot 42 classic signs of cancer in children.

On average, the participants recognized only 11 signs and only one in 10 knew some of the most subtle symptoms.

The most common cancers in kids are leukemias, brain and central nervous system tumors, and lymphomas.

While you might recognize signs like a lump, swelling, or pain, other symptoms are less obvious.

Brain tumors can be hard to diagnose and can cause a number of different symptoms, including persistent headaches, dizziness, seizures, clumsiness, and being sick when waking up in the morning.

A routine eye test can sometimes detect warning signs of pressure build-up at the back of the eye caused by a brain tumor.

Eye cancer usually affects children under age six. Symptoms include a white glow in the eye seen in photos or other eye changes.

Some lesser-known signs of cancer in children include early or late puberty, developmental delays, slow growth, slow recovery from bone injuries, abnormal facial movements, and hearing problems.

While these symptoms can mimic those of other ailments, getting them checked out is essential.

The average age at which a child with cancer is diagnosed is eight years old, but certain cancers are more likely to strike at younger or older ages.

The full list of all 42 symptoms can be found below.

Head:

1. Persistent/recurrent headache

2. Persistently vomiting

3. Vision problems (e.g., blurred / double vision)

4. Leukocoria (pupil reflects white, gray, or yellowish instead of red in photos)

5. Abnormal eye movements

6. Hearing loss

Jaw, throat, and neck:

7. Persistent earache

8. Torticollis/head tilt or stiff neck in young children

9. Persistent/recurrent sore throat or hoarse voice

10. Difficulty swallowing

11. Swollen glands

12. Lump or swelling in the face, jaw, and skull

13. Limiting mouth opening

14. Abnormal facial movements

Chest:

15. Shortness of breath

16. Lump or swelling in the chest wall or armpits

Abdomen:

17. Pain in the chest wall or armpits

18. Persistent/recurrent/progressive abdominal pain or discomfort

19. Abdominal distention/mass

20. Blood in urine/stool

21. A change in bowel habit

22. Difficulty passing urine

Bones and joints:

23. Unexplained bone or joint swelling

24. Persistent/recurrent pain in bone or joint, worse at night

25. Unexplained limp or leg weakness

26. Slow in recovery after injury to bone or joint

General growth:

27. Developmental delay in young children under 2

28. Deterioration in balance, walking and speech

29. Slow growth

30. Weight loss

31. Loss of appetite

Sexual development and function:

32. Early or late puberty

33. Lump, swelling in the pelvis, testicle, or breast

34. Unexplained bleeding after sex and between periods

Skin and appearance:

35. Noticeable skin paleness

36. Changes to moles

37. Excessive bleeding/bruising/rash/petechiae

Non-specific symptoms and parental concern:

38. Persistent/recurrent, unexplained screaming in young children

39. Multiple infections or flu-like symptoms

40. Persistent/recurrent tiredness or fatigue

41. Fever and night sweats

42. Parental concern/instinct that something is wrong

This list is based on the Archives of Disease in Childhood and is intended to raise awareness of potential warning signs of childhood cancers.

These symptoms may also be due to a variety of other illnesses and conditions. If you have any concerns, consult your child’s pediatrician.

Click here for the complete study.


About the Authors
Sarah Mayberry, M.P.H. headshot
Frank McGeorge, MD headshot

Dr. McGeorge can be seen on Local 4 News helping Metro Detroiters with health concerns when he isn't helping save lives in the emergency room at Henry Ford Hospital.

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