How can I tell if my child has cancer?

According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), around 800 to 1000 children are diagnosed with cancer in South Africa each year. But they are the tip of the iceberg: around half the children with cancer are never diagnosed – or are diagnosed too late for effective treatment.

This stems largely from ignorance of the signs and symptoms of paediatric cancer – and the fact that some parents are unwilling to acknowledge what these could mean. They fear cancer, and it still carries a stigma in communities that attribute it to supernatural causes rather than medical ones.

The reality is that many childhood cancers are treatable, with success rates of 70 to 80% in countries that are well resourced, says Prof Michael Herbst, Cansa's Head of Health. 

About 5% of childhood cancers are linked to genetic factors, and a few to environmental and microbial ones, Herbst says. And because children are still growing, the cancers tend to spread faster. Most occur in developing cells such as bone marrow, blood, the nervous system, the kidneys and connective soft tissue.

Become aware of the signs of the five most common types – and consult a healthcare professional immediately if you spot them, for a proper diagnosis and speedy treatment.

1. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

This is the most common childhood cancer, accounting for 75% of cases. It arises in the bone marrow.

Look out for

Pain in bones and joints, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, easy bruising and bleeding, fever, anaemia, pallor, recurrent infections, feeling cold, headaches and weight loss.

2. Brain and central nervous system tumours 

These are the second most common cancer in children from birth to 14, and there are many kinds.

Look out for

Headaches, dizziness, balance problems, frequent vomiting, problems with vision, hearing or speech, and in infants, increasing head circumference (a reason why regularly measuring and documenting head circumference at a clinic is important).

3. Lymphoma

This is the third most common cancer and there are two main kinds: Hodgkin (rare in children under 5) and non-Hodgkin (more common than Hodgkin in young children). It begins in the lymphocyte cells of the immune system and affects the lymph nodes.

Look out for

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin (usually painless), fever, sweats, weakness, weight loss, and a persistent unexplained cough.

4. Neuroblastoma

This develops from immature nerve cells in babies and children younger than 5, often starting in the adrenal glands (above the kidneys).

Look out for

A lump in the abdomen, pelvis or neck, and depending where this is, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea, bladder problems, difficulty walking, eye changes (an eye may bulge, eyelid droop and dark circles form under eyes), high blood pressure, fever and weight loss.

5. Wilnms tumour 

This generally grows in one kidney, and occasionally in both, in children under age 5.

Look out for

A lump or swelling in the tummy that’s initially painless, then pain, fever, nausea, lethargy and poor appetite.

For more about cancer, including advice and support, call 0800 22 66 22 or visit www.cansa.org.za

Click here to find steps to follow if you suspect your child has cancer