Childhood Cancer free essay sample

Each year in the U. S. there are approximately 13,400 children between the ages of birth and 19 years of age who are diagnosed with cancer. About one in 300 boys and one in 333 girls will develop cancer before their 20th birthday. In 1998, about 2500 died of cancer, thus making cancer the most common cause of death by disease for children and adolescents in America. Statistics on child and adolescent cancer incidence are collected by the National Cancer Institutes (NCI) SEER Program (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results). The data is collected at 10 sites (5 states including CT, UT, NM, IA, and HI and 5 cities including Detroit, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle), with each representing different geographic regions of the United States. The data is then extrapolated to represent national childhood cancer data. The following monograph link summarizes childhood cancer incidence and mortality by disease type, age, ethnicity, and sex. Data collected through SEER has shown that the incidence for some types of childhood cancer have increased slightly since Candlelighters inception in 1970, but for the most part the rates have been fairly constant in the last several years. We will write a custom essay sample on Childhood Cancer or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Statistics on Childhood Cancer from NCI Cancer Incidence and Survival among Children and Adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975-1995. A Snapshot of Pediatric Cancers- National Cancer Institute SEER Pediatric Monograph 2012 Cancer Facts and Figures Childhood Cancer Epidemiology in North America Incidence Statistics Childhood cancer rates vary by cancer type. The following graph illustrates the distribution of the more common childhood cancers for children ages birth to 14 years. Source: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, 1975-2003, Div. of Cancer Control and Pop. Sciences, NCI, 2006 Survival Statistics While the incidence of childhood cancer has changed only slightly since Candlelighters inception in 1970 (an increase from 11. 4 per 100,000 population in 1974 to 14. per 100,000 in 2004), the overall survival rate for childhood cancer has increased drastically during that time period. Today, the overall 5 year survival rate for childhood cancer is close to 80%. Because treatment cure rates have increased, the population of childhood cancer survivors has also increased. Currently there are estimated to be 270,000 survivors of childhood cancer in the U. S. This equates to one in 640 young adults between the ages of 20 to 39 being a survivor of a childhood malignancy. Survival however is with a cost. Two-thirds of those who do survive face at least one chronic health condition. One quarter of survivors face a late-effect from treatment that is classified as severe or life-threatening. Late-effects of treatment can include heart damage, second cancers, lung damage, infertility, cognitive impairment, growth deficits, hearing loss, and more. It is becoming increasingly apparent that childhood cancer is for life. Late effects from either the disease process or aggressive treatment regimens are given at a time of life when children have growing bodies and developing brains. As such, patterns of late-effects include disabilities, chronic health conditions, and even subsequent battles with additional cancer. It is imperative that all survivors of childhood cancer receive on-going monitoring and continued physical and psychosocial care throughout their adult lives. Additionally, not all childhood cancers have known such successful survival rates. Sadly many types of childhood cancer continue to have a poor five year prognosis. Research Funding Statistics Federal funding for childhood cancer research is predominantly allocated through the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Funds are distributed to Principle Investigators (scientists) working at labs which are often located at Childrens hospitals across the country (extramural research); to the Childrens Oncology Group to fund clinical trials (extramural research); and to labs within the NCI (intramural research. ) Each year, Congress approves the amount of money that the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland will receive for research initiatives. Cancer will be funded in 2009 at a level of approximately $5. 6 Billion. In 2007, the NCI reported that the combined extramural and intramural funding for childhood cancer research was approximately $180 million. However, this estimate could be regarded as liberal as some of the associated research might not be perceived as directly benefiting childhood cancer. Other more conservative estimates, put childhood cancer research funding as low as $30 million annually. To put this figure in perspective, the NCI allocated $572. million on breast cancer research in 2007. Other NIH Institutes funded breast cancer research at a level of $132. 6 million in the same year; and the Department of Defense, which also supports breast cancer research, allocated an additional $138 million. As a comparison, breast cancer with its overall 5 year survival rate of close to 90% received $843 million in Federal research funding in 2007. This was in addition to the funds raised by breast cancer organizations through their pink ribbon campaigns and private donations. It is estimated that the success of those initiatives raises approximately $256 million in the combined assets of the top four breast cancer organizations. The success of the pink ribbon campaign and its resulting funding for breast cancer research has resulted in an increase in the five year survival rate of that patient population. Their strength as advocates has resulted in a strong position for both federal and private research funding. As individuals and organizations supporting our nations children and dolescents with cancer we too can take a strong stance for our cause with both federal and private research funding. Breast cancer is the sixth most common cause of death by disease of women in America (behind heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, respiratory disease and Alzheimers). In comparison, cancer is the number one cause of death by disease of Americas children. In terms of person years life lost (PYLL), the average age at diagnosis of breast cancer is 61, with a calculated 16 PYLL. In contrast, the average age that a child is diagnosed with cancer is 10. This calculates to 67 PYLL. Sixty seven years of life lost when a child dies from cancer. Our call to action is to increase the awareness of the incidence and devastation of this disease on Americas children. By raising awareness of the fact that childhood cancer remains the number one disease killer of Americas children, we can raise the awareness of the need for greater research funding. Like breast cancer, childhood cancer has an international symbol the gold ribbon. The gold ribbon was created by parents of children with cancer and former CCCF board member Gigi Thorsen. Its first production as a lapel pin was funded by CCCF in 1997. Working together, we too can become successful cancer advocates through the promotion of the gold ribbon for childhood cancer, so that we too can build research funding and much needed cures for Americas littlest cancer patients.