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For you long time Breezy Mama readers, you know that my daughter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of pediatric cancer, in September of 2009. Ever since that time, it seems as if I keep hearing about kid after being kid being diagnosed with some form of cancer. At first, I just assumed that it was because I was more of aware of the disease–those of us who have been through the ordeal seem to “stick together” and tell each other our stories, since it’s always easier to talk to someone who understands. But when two friends, in two different circles of friends, had their children diagnosed, I knew something was up–it hit too close to home. So Breezy Mama turned to Dr. Robert Seeger, Professor of Pediatrics; Deputy Division Head for Research; Director, Cancer Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for his thoughts on why pediatric cancer seemed to be on the rise.
How does pediatric cancer differ from “adult” cancer?
Pediatric cancers develop in rapidly growing tissues such as the blood system (leukemia), brain (brain tumors), sympathetic nervous system (neuroblastoma), bone (osteosarcoma) and muscle (sarcoma). The most common adult cancers develop in other tissues such as lung, breast, colon, and prostate.
It seems as if there is an influx in children being diagnosed with cancer—is this true?
The incidence of some childhood cancers appeared to be [Read more…] about Why is Pediatric Cancer on the Rise?