According to a recent study, two-thirds of adults lack confidence in their ability to identify early signs of cancer in children. Furthermore, only one in 10 adults are familiar with some of the subtle symptoms. Conducted by researchers from the University of Nottingham and childhood cancer charities, the study involved surveying 1,000 adults, including parents, on their knowledge of 42 classic signs of cancer in children. On average, participants were only able to recognize 11 of these signs. Additionally, less than half were aware that lumps or swelling in the pelvis, breast, or testicle could be potential symptoms of cancer. A graphic accompanying the study highlights lesser-known signs of cancer in children, such as early or late puberty, developmental delays, slow growth, slow recovery from bone injuries, limited or abnormal facial movement, and hearing problems. Blood in urine or stool, changes to moles, and weight loss were other recognized signs, which are also indicative of the disease in adults. However, more subtle signs specific to childhood cancers were not well-known. For instance, only 10 percent of adults recognized early or late puberty as a potential sign of cancer. Puberty is regulated by hormonal changes, and tumors can disrupt this process, either accelerating or slowing it down. The average age for the onset of puberty in girls is 11, and in boys, it is 12. Another sign of cancer that often goes unnoticed in younger children is developmental delay, with only 11 percent of adults aware of its association with the disease. Developmental delays occur when infants do not reach developmental milestones, such as crawling or walking, within the expected timeframe. Other subtle signs of cancer include slow recovery after a bone injury, with only 14 percent of survey participants recognizing this as a potential symptom. The findings of the study were published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood. The list of potential cancer symptoms also included signs that could be mistaken for other childhood ailments, such as fevers or difficulty swallowing. The authors of the study emphasized the need for an educational campaign to raise awareness about the signs of childhood cancers. They noted that the perception of cancer as a rare occurrence in children often hinders early diagnosis. While the number of cases may be small compared to adult cancers, the cumulative risk from birth to early adulthood is similar to that of other childhood illnesses. Public awareness about the signs of childhood cancers is crucial, as parents typically associate common symptoms with less serious childhood conditions, rather than cancer. The authors added that early detection is vital because childhood cancer is the leading cause of death in children over the age of 12 months in the UK and a significant cause of disability in young people. In the UK, an estimated 1,800 new cancer cases are diagnosed in children each year, resulting in 250 deaths. NHS figures on cancer waiting times showed that just 62.6 percent of cancer patients were seen within the two-month target, falling short of the national guideline of 85 percent. Survival rates vary considerably depending on the type of cancer, but overall, 84 percent of children diagnosed with cancer are still alive after five years. In the US, there are approximately 15,000 cancer cases in people under the age of 20 annually. It is important to note that many of the potential cancer symptoms listed in the study can also be caused by less serious conditions and diseases. The authors acknowledged that the study had some potential limitations, such as volunteers potentially providing answers they believed researchers wanted to hear, rather than their true knowledge. Furthermore, the sample of 1,000 adults did not include many people from younger demographics. The study’s list of 42 signs of cancer in children, along with the percentage of adults who recognized them, is as follows:
– Lump/swelling in pelvis, testicle, or breast: 46 percent
– Blood in urine or stool: 44 percent
– Changes to moles: 43 percent
– Lump/swelling in chest wall or armpits: 41 percent
– Weight loss: 40 percent
– Abdominal distention/mass: 38 percent
– Lump/swelling in the face, jaw, and skull: 36 percent
– Persistent/recurrent headache: 32 percent
– Persistent/recurrent tiredness or fatigue: 32 percent
– Loss of appetite: 31 percent
– Persistently vomiting: 31 percent
– Excess bleeding/bruising/rash/petechiae (a type of rash): 30 percent
– Seizures or fits: 29 percent
– Pain in chest wall or armpits: 29 percent
– Unexplained bone or joint swelling: 27 percent
– A change in bowel habit – constipation or diarrhea: 27 percent
– Persistent/recurring/progressive abdominal pain or discomfort: 26 percent
– Difficulty passing urine: 26 percent
– Vision problems: 26 percent
– Swollen glands: 26 percent
– Deterioration in balance, walking, and speech: 23 percent
– Persistent/recurrent pain in bone or joint worse at night: 23 percent
– Noticeable skin paleness: 22 percent
– Multiple infections or flu-like symptoms: 22 percent
– Unexplained bleeding after sex and between periods: 22 percent
– Fever and night sweats: 21 percent
– Shortness of breath: 21 percent
– Difficulty swallowing: 21 percent
– Unexplained limp or weakness: 20 percent
– Persistent/recurrent unexplained screaming in young children: 19 percent
– Persistent/recurrent sore throat or hoarse voice: 18 percent
– Torticollis/head tilt or stiff neck in young children: 18 percent
– Leukocoria: 18 percent
– Hearing loss: 17 percent
– Abnormal eye movements: 17 percent
– Abnormal facial movements: 16 percent
– Persistent earache: 16 percent
– Limited mouth opening: 14 percent
– Slow recovery after injury to bone or joint: 14 percent
– Slow growth: 13 percent
– Developmental delay in young children under two: 11 percent
– Early or late puberty: 10 percent
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