How To Spot Cancer In Children
Cancer is hard to spot in children. The signs & symptoms of cancer are difficult to recognise in a child, and it doesn’t help that they are signs & symptoms of many common — and not as dangerous — childhood illnesses.
Signs and symptoms can vary between children too, as well as between different types of cancer and where the cancer is in the body.
In this article, we’ve compiled the most common signs of cancer in children, so that you know what to look out for if you are worried about your child’s health.
It’s worth remembering that because these signs and symptoms are shared with many other childhood illnesses, they are not usually indicative of cancer. However, it’s a good idea to be aware of what these symptoms could be and how they present themselves in children; the earlier the diagnosis, the more successful treatment may be.
Trust your concern as a parent and see your doctor if your child is showing any of the below signs and symptoms:
Spotting the signs of cancer in children isn’t easy — especially when there are so many other childhood illnesses that share similar symptoms — but the above advice should help.
Of course, there are many different types of cancer, and symptoms often aren’t the same in each child and each case; however, the signs we’ve listed above are the most common indicators to look out for.
If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms and you are concerned about their health, you should consult your doctor. Remember that these symptoms are not usually cancer, but it’s always worth getting your child checked out if you’re worried.
About the author: Dr Don Grant (MB, ChB, DRCOG, MRCGP, Dip.orth.med) is the clinical lead at The Independent Pharmacy, one of the UK’s leading independent online pharmacies. For more healthcare and treatment advice, visit their website.