- 12,600 average new diagnoses annually
- One-fourth will not survive
- The incidence of childhood cancer has increased every year over the past 25 years
- Currently, one in every 330 children in the United States develops cancer before the age of nineteen.
- Each school day, enough children are diagnosed with childhood cancer to empty two classrooms! (*NCCF)
Facts from NIH:
• High levels of ionizing radiation from accidents or from radiotherapy have been linked with increased risk of some childhood cancers.
• Children with cancer treated with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be at increased risk for developing a second primary cancer. For example, certain types of chemotherapy, including alkylating agents or topoisomerase II inhibitors (e.g., epipodophyllotoxins), can cause an increased risk of leukemia.
• Recent research has shown that children with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), like adults with AIDS, have an increased risk of developing certain cancers, predominantly non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Kaposi sarcoma. These children also have an additional risk of developing leiomyosarcoma (a type of muscle cancer).
• Certain genetic syndromes (e.g., Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis, and Gorlin syndrome) have been linked to an increased risk of specific childhood cancers.
• Children with Down syndrome have an increased risk of developing leukemia.
• Low levels of radiation exposure from indoor radon have not been significantly associated with childhood leukemias.
• Ultrasound use during pregnancy has not been linked with childhood cancer in numerous large studies.
• Residential magnetic field exposure from power lines has not been significantly associated with childhood leukemias.
• Pesticides have been suspected to be involved in the development of certain forms of childhood cancer based on interview data. However, interview results have been inconsistent and have not yet been validated by physical evidence of pesticides in the child’s body or environment.
• No consistent findings have been observed linking specific occupational exposures of parents to the development of childhood cancers.
• Several studies have found no link between maternal cigarette smoking before pregnancy and childhood cancers, but increased risks have been related to the father’s smoking habits in studies in the United Kingdom and China.
• Little evidence has been found to link specific viruses or other infectious agents to the development of most types of childhood cancers, though investigators worldwide are exploring the role of exposures of very young children to some common infectious agents that may protect children from, or put them at risk for, developing certain leukemias.
Candlelighters Helps..."because kids can't fight cancer alone!"
80-85% of marriages do not survive this type of diagnosis because of the stress, financial devastation and fear of the future. Much of our aid is given to single mothers who have been left to raise the children and take care of the sick child alone. Families are shattered in every way possible. Our programs and services provide financial, emotional, educational and psycho-social support programs. 100% of all money raised is used to help the families that we serve.
