Childhood Cancer in Canada
Canadian Cancer Society Fast Facts
- Overall incidence of childhood cancer has remained relatively stable since 1985 (varying from 144 to 159 per one million- children). - Overall cancer incidence rates are highest among young children (birth to four years of age). Incidence rates are lower and similar for children aged five to nine and 10 to 14 years of age. - Leukemia is the most common childhood cancer, accounting for 33 per cent of new cases and 27 per cent of deaths each year.

o Cancers of the central nervous system are the second most common childhood cancer, accounting for about 20 per cent of new cases and 30 per cent of deaths.

o Lymphomas are the third most common, accounting for 12 per cent of new cases and five per cent of deaths. - Since 1985, there has been a dramatic decline in childhood cancer death rates (dropping from approximately 40 to 20 per million children-). - Overall, childhood cancer occurs more commonly in boys than girls.

Prevention - Little is known about what causes childhood cancer, which limits opportunities for prevention. - Some genetic abnormalities and inherited diseases are associated with a higher risk of childhood cancer (such as Down syndrome). - Chemotherapeutic drugs, radiotherapy, or exposure in the womb to ionizing radiation or diethylstilbestrol (DES) are a few of the better established risk factors for childhood cancer. However, they account for only a small percentage of all cases.

Screening - Screening for childhood tumours has not proven effective. This is mainly due to the short latency period of the disease (amount of time from exposure to onset of cancer) and because the cancers are typically fast growing.

Diagnosis and treatment - Accurate diagnosis and treatment are the most effective ways of controlling cancer in children. - Definitive diagnosis and treatment for children with cancer is available at one of 17 specialized pediatric cancer centres in Canada. - In general, for Canadian children with cancer, the start of treatment occurs rapidly after diagnosis. The average wait time is 17 days, but is even faster for younger children. - Collaborative clinical trials for treatment for childhood cancers have been crucial in advancing progress.

Palliative care - While the majority of children with cancer become long-term survivors, many children continue to die from this disease. - Knowledge about palliative care in pediatric oncology remains underdeveloped.

For more information, visit www.cancer.ca.