Yes, unfortunately children do get cancer. While it’s relatively rare compared to adult cancers, childhood cancer is a reality that affects thousands of families worldwide.
About 1 in 285 children will develop cancer before the age of 20.

Key facts about childhood cancer:

• • Approximately 35,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in Europe.
  • About 9,550 children are diagnosed with cancer annually in the United States.
  • Cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease among children aged over one in Europe.
  • The most common childhood cancers are leukemias (28%), brain and CNS tumors (26%), and lymphomas.

Despite these numbers, there is hope: thanks to advances in treatment, approximately 80-85% of children with cancer now survive 5 years or more after diagnosis. children do get cancer. While it’s relatively rare compared to adult cancers, childhood cancer is a reality that affects thousands of families worldwide.

Cancer can affect children from birth, and in some rare cases, even before birth. There is no minimum age for childhood cancer.

Important age-related facts:

• • Birth to infancy: Some babies are born with cancer or develop it in their first year of life. Neuroblastoma, for example, is most common in infants and very young children
  • Under 5 years: About 35% of typical childhood cancers occur before the age of five years
  • Retinoblastoma: This eye cancer most often affects children under 6 years old, with most cases occurring in babies and toddlers
  • Prenatal development: Some childhood cancers begin developing while the baby is still in the womb, before the child is even born

Important: The fact that some cancers develop before birth demonstrates that childhood cancer is not caused by anything the child or parents did wrong.

While childhood cancer is relatively rare compared to cancers in adults, it still affects a significant number of children each year.

Every 15 minutes in Europe, parents receive the devastating news that their child has cancer.

Statistics to understand:

• • About 1 in 285 children will develop cancer before age 20
  • 41 children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the United States
  • There are more than 12 major types of childhood cancers and over 100 subtypes
  • All childhood cancers combined are technically considered “rare diseases” (affecting fewer than 200,000 people)
  • Childhood cancer represents just 1% of all cancers diagnosed

Despite being rare, cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children over the age of one in many developed countries.

NO. It is absolutely NOT your fault. Nothing you did as a parent caused your child’s cancer.

This is one of the most important messages for parents to understand. Medical experts and research are unanimous on this point:

• • No parental actions caused the cancer: You did not do anything wrong during pregnancy, in caring for your child, or at any other time that caused the cancer
  • Not related to parenting: The cancer is not related to what you fed your child, where you lived, products you used, or any parenting decisions you made
  • Even genetic factors are not your fault: In the rare cases where genetic predisposition plays a role (4-8% of childhood cancers), this is not something parents can control. By virtue of having children, genes are passed on—this is not a matter of fault
  • Random chance: Most childhood cancers are caused by random DNA mutations that happen by unfortunate chance, not by any environmental or behavioral factors

Many parents blame themselves, but doctors and oncologists want you to know: You did nothing to cause this, and you should never place blame on yourself. Your focus should be on supporting your child through treatment, not on guilt over something that was never in your control.

The honest answer is: In most cases, we don’t know what causes childhood cancer. This is one of the most challenging questions in pediatric oncology.

What we do know:

• • Random DNA mutations: The most common cause of childhood cancer is randomly acquired DNA mutations. These mutations happen by chance, often during cell growth and development
  • Childhood cancer is different from adult cancer: Unlike adult cancers which are often linked to lifestyle factors (smoking, obesity, sun exposure), childhood cancers typically have no known preventable risk factors
  • Some cancers start before birth: Many childhood cancers begin developing while the baby is still in the womb, demonstrating that they couldn’t have been prevented
  • Genetic factors in a small minority: Only about 4-8% of childhood cancers occur due to known genetic predisposition. More than 100 genetic syndromes with cancer risk in childhood are known

Important distinction: For many adult cancers, we know what puts people at higher risk and can prevent them through behavior changes or early screening. For childhood cancer, prevention is usually not possible because the causes are mostly unknown and random.

Research continues to investigate what might cause childhood cancer, but currently, relatively few causative factors have been identified.

Unfortunately, most childhood cancers cannot be prevented. This is very different from many adult cancers.

Why prevention is difficult:

• • Unknown causes: Since we don’t know what causes most childhood cancers, we can’t identify ways to prevent them
  • Random mutations: Most childhood cancers result from random DNA changes that occur by chance
  • Pre-birth development: Some childhood cancers begin developing before the child is born, making prevention impossible
  • No lifestyle factors: Unlike adult cancers (where avoiding smoking and maintaining healthy weight can prevent many cases), childhood cancers aren’t linked to modifiable behaviors

What CAN be done: While we can’t prevent most childhood cancers, we CAN dramatically improve outcomes through early detection and prompt treatment. Learning the warning signs (like SILUAN) and seeking immediate medical attention for concerning symptoms can save lives.

For the small percentage of children with known genetic predisposition, surveillance programs can help detect cancer at earlier, more treatable stages.

NO. Cancer is NOT contagious. Your child cannot “catch” cancer from someone else, and cannot give cancer to others.

This is crucial information for families, schools, and communities to understand:

• • Not an infectious disease: Cancer is not caused by bacteria, viruses, or other infectious agents that can spread from person to person (with very rare exceptions that don’t apply to childhood cancers)
  • Safe to be around: Children with cancer pose absolutely no health risk to other children or adults. They can safely interact with siblings, friends, classmates, and others
  • No isolation needed: There is no medical reason to isolate a child with cancer from others based on concerns about transmission
  • Immune system considerations: While children undergoing cancer treatment may need to avoid people who are sick (because their immune system is weakened), this is to protect the child with cancer, not to protect others from the child

Important for schools and communities: Children with cancer can and should participate in normal activities with other children (when medically able). There is no risk of other children “catching” cancer.

Unfortunately, children with cancer sometimes still face stigma or fear from uninformed communities. Education about the fact that cancer is not contagious is essential.

The answer is nuanced: Most childhood cancers are NOT hereditary, but a small percentage can have genetic factors.

What the research shows: Only 4-8% of childhood cancers occur within a known genetic predisposition

Understanding genetic factors:

• Most are NOT inherited: The vast majority (92-96%) of childhood cancers occur randomly and are not passed down from parents
• Known genetic syndromes: More than 100 genetic syndromes with increased cancer risk in childhood have been identified, including:
  • Li-Fraumeni syndrome
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Down syndrome
  • Retinoblastoma (some cases)
  • Familial adenomatous polyposis
• Not the parents’ fault: Even when genetic factors play a role, families should never place blame. We cannot control our genetic makeup or how genes are passed on
• Risk to siblings: For most childhood cancers, the risk to siblings is not significantly increased. Your child’s doctor can advise if genetic counseling or testing is recommended

Genetic predisposition clinics: For families where genetic factors are identified, specialized surveillance programs can watch children more frequently, potentially diagnosing cancer at earlier, more curable stages.

If you have concerns about cancer running in your family, discuss this with your child’s healthcare team. Genetic counseling may be recommended in specific situations.

The length of treatment varies significantly depending on the type and stage of cancer. There is no single answer that applies to all childhood cancers.

General treatment durations:

• • Leukemia (ALL – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia): Typically 2-3 years of treatment. This is one of the longest treatment protocols
  • Leukemia (AML – Acute Myeloid Leukemia): More intense but shorter treatment, usually lasting 4-6 months
  • Brain tumors: Treatment duration varies widely based on tumor type and location, can range from a few months to over a year
  • Solid tumors: Treatment length depends on the specific cancer type, stage, and response to therapy. May range from 6 months to over a year
  • Lymphomas: Often 6-12 months, depending on type and stage

Factors that affect treatment length:

• • Type of cancer
  • Stage at diagnosis (how advanced the cancer is)
  • How well the child responds to initial treatment
  • Child’s age and overall health
  • Whether the cancer is high-risk or standard-risk
  • Treatment protocol being used

After treatment ends: Even when active treatment is complete, children need long-term follow-up care to monitor for recurrence and manage any late effects of treatment. This monitoring continues for many years, sometimes throughout their life.

Your child’s oncology team will explain the specific treatment plan and expected duration for your child’s individual situation.

Chemotherapy (often called “chemo”) refers to powerful medications that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing and dividing.

How chemotherapy works:

• • Targets fast-growing cells: Chemotherapy drugs work by attacking cells that grow and divide quickly—a characteristic of cancer cells
  • Travels through the body: Unlike surgery or radiation which target specific areas, chemotherapy drugs travel through the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body
  • Multiple drugs often used: Treatment plans often combine different chemotherapy drugs to attack cancer cells in different ways

How chemotherapy is given:

• • Intravenously (IV): Most commonly given through a vein, often using a central line or port
  • By mouth: Some chemotherapy drugs are taken as pills or liquids
  • Injection: Sometimes given as a shot under the skin or into muscle
  • Intrathecal: For some cancers, chemotherapy is given directly into the spinal fluid

Why chemotherapy works better in children:

• • Most childhood cancers tend to grow quickly, making them more responsive to chemotherapy
  • Children’s bodies are usually better able to recover from higher doses than adults’ bodies
  • This allows doctors to use more intense treatments with better chances of success

Side effects: Because chemotherapy also affects healthy fast-growing cells (like hair, blood cells, and cells in the digestive system), it can cause side effects like hair loss, increased infection risk, nausea, and fatigue. Most side effects are temporary and end when treatment stops.

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is treatment that uses high-energy radiation beams to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.

How radiation therapy works:

• • High-energy rays: Uses precisely aimed beams of high-energy particles (similar to X-rays but much stronger) to damage the DNA of cancer cells, causing them to die
  • Local treatment: Unlike chemotherapy, radiation targets a specific area of the body where the cancer is located
  • Painless procedure: The radiation treatment itself is painless—similar to getting an X-ray

Types of radiation therapy:

• • External beam radiation: The most common type, where radiation comes from a machine outside the body
  • Internal radiation (brachytherapy): Radioactive material is placed inside the body near cancer cells
  • Systemic radiation: Radioactive substances travel through the blood to tissues throughout the body

When radiation is used:

• • To shrink tumors before surgery
  • After surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells
  • In combination with chemotherapy
  • To treat cancer that has spread to specific areas like the brain
  • For certain types of cancers where it’s particularly effective

Special considerations for children: Radiation therapy can cause more serious side effects in children (especially very young children) than in adults, particularly affecting growth and development. Doctors carefully weigh the benefits against potential long-term effects and may limit its use or adjust the dose accordingly.

The number of radiation treatments needed and potential side effects depend on what part of the body is being treated, but each individual treatment session is relatively quick.

Modern childhood cancer treatment includes several approaches beyond traditional chemotherapy and radiation:

• Surgery: Used to remove tumors or take tissue samples (biopsies). The completeness of surgical removal is critical in determining the need for additional treatment
• Immunotherapy: Treatments that help the child’s own immune system find and kill cancer cells. CAR T-cell therapy is one type used for some childhood leukemias
• Stem cell transplant (also called bone marrow transplant): Allows doctors to give very high doses of chemotherapy by replacing damaged blood-forming stem cells with healthy ones. Can use the child’s own cells (autologous) or a donor’s cells (allogeneic)
• Targeted therapy: Newer drugs that specifically block the effects of tumor-specific changes or mutations. These precision therapies are increasingly being incorporated into treatment plans
• Clinical trials: Research studies testing new treatments. More than 50% of children with cancer participate in clinical trials, which has been key to improving survival rates

Combination approach: Most children receive a combination of treatments. For example, a child might have radiation or chemotherapy to shrink a tumor before surgery, followed by more chemotherapy afterward.

Hair loss is a common but temporary side effect of chemotherapy. Whether your child loses their hair depends on the type and dose of chemotherapy drugs used.

What to expect:

• Chemotherapy-related hair loss: Most children receiving chemotherapy will experience hair loss. This typically begins 2-3 weeks after treatment starts
• Complete hair loss: Some children lose all their hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes
• Radiation-related hair loss: Radiation to the head can cause hair loss in the treated area
• Temporary condition: Hair almost always grows back after treatment ends, though it may initially grow back with a different color or texture

How children cope:

• Some children wear hats, scarves, or bandanas
• Some choose to wear wigs
• Others embrace their baldness without trying to hide it
• Each child’s response is unique and valid

Support available: Your child’s healthcare team, including child life specialists and counselors, can help you and your child prepare for and cope with hair loss in whatever way works best for your family.

Survival rates vary dramatically depending on where a child receives treatment. There is a significant gap between high-income and low-income countries.

Global Survival Rates:

• • High-income countries (USA, Europe, Australia): Approximately 80-85% of children survive 5 years or more after diagnosis
  • Low- and middle-income countries (including many African nations): Only 20-30% of children survive 5 years or more after diagnosis
  • Global average: About 50% of children with cancer worldwide survive

Why such a large difference? The survival gap between high-income and low-income countries exists due to several factors:

• • Late diagnosis: Many children in low-income countries are diagnosed at advanced stages when cancer is harder to treat
  • Limited access to treatment: Lack of pediatric oncology centers, specialized doctors, and essential medications
  • Treatment abandonment: Families may be unable to complete treatment due to financial constraints or distance from treatment centers
  • Healthcare infrastructure: Limited diagnostic equipment, blood banks, and supportive care facilities
  • Malnutrition and infections: Children may be more vulnerable to treatment complications
  • Lack of awareness: Limited public knowledge about childhood cancer warning signs

Progress Over Time: This represents tremendous progress in high-income countries. In the mid-1970s, the 5-year survival rate was only about 58% even in developed nations. However, this progress has not been equally shared globally.

Factors Affecting Individual Survival Rates:

• • Type of cancer: Different cancers have different survival rates. For example:
    • Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): Over 90% 5-year survival rate in high-income countries vs. 30-50% in low-income countries
    • Wilms tumor (kidney cancer): 90%+ survival in high-income countries vs. 30-40% in low-income countries
    • Some brain tumors: Survival rates vary widely depending on tumor type and location
  • Stage at diagnosis: Cancer detected early generally has better outcomes
  • Age of the child: Age can affect both treatment options and outcomes
  • Response to treatment: How well the cancer responds to initial treatment is very important
  • Access to specialized care: Treatment at pediatric cancer centers with experienced teams improves outcomes
  • Continuity of care: Completing the full treatment protocol is essential for cure

What KidzCan Zimbabwe is Doing: Organizations like KidzCan Zimbabwe work to bridge this gap by:

• • Providing financial assistance to ensure families can complete treatment
  • Offering transportation and housing support to overcome distance barriers
  • Raising awareness about early warning signs
  • Supporting comprehensive care including medical treatment and psychosocial support
  • Partnering with treatment centers to improve access to quality care

Individual Prognosis: These are overall statistics. Your child’s doctor can provide more specific information about your child’s individual prognosis based on their specific type of cancer, stage, access to treatment, and other factors.

It’s appropriate and important to ask your child’s doctor about the success rate and prognosis for your child’s specific diagnosis. With proper treatment and support, many children in Zimbabwe can achieve outcomes similar to those in high-income countries.

When treatment ends, a new phase begins that requires continued care and monitoring. This is called survivorship care.

What to expect:

• • Mixed emotions: Many families are surprised by anxious feelings during this time, when they expected to feel only relief. This is normal—you’re leaving the security of frequent contact with the healthcare team
  • Survivorship care plan: Your child should receive a detailed plan that includes:
    • Summary of treatments received
    • Schedule of follow-up exams and tests
    • Screening for cancer recurrence
    • Monitoring for late effects of treatment
    • Psychosocial support resources
  • Regular monitoring: Survivors need at least annual exams by healthcare professionals who understand late effects. More frequent visits may be needed initially
  • Late effects: Some treatment side effects may appear months or years after treatment ends. Monitoring helps detect and manage these early

Long-term follow-up typically includes:

• • Physical examinations
  • Blood tests
  • Imaging studies as needed
  • Screening for specific late effects based on treatments received
  • Assessment of growth, development, and educational progress
  • Psychosocial support

There are approximately 500,000 childhood cancer survivors in Europe today.

Many survivors go on to live healthy, productive lives, but ongoing medical follow-up remains important throughout their lifetime.

Many childhood cancer survivors go on to live full, productive lives—going to school, pursuing careers, forming relationships, and having families of their own.

What research shows:

• • Most are psychologically healthy: The majority of childhood cancer survivors are psychologically healthy and well-adjusted
  • Educational achievement: Many survivors complete their education and pursue successful careers
  • Relationships and family: Most survivors are able to form meaningful relationships and many go on to have children
  • Quality of life: While some survivors may face challenges, many report good quality of life

Potential challenges to be aware of:

• • Late effects: Some survivors experience physical late effects that may require ongoing management
  • Emotional impacts: A smaller number may experience depression, anxiety, or PTSD related to their cancer experience
  • Learning differences: Some treatments (particularly radiation to the brain) can affect learning, though this varies greatly
  • Chronic health conditions: By age 50, about half of survivors have a serious health condition related to their cancer treatment

Support makes a difference: Healthy lifestyle habits (good nutrition, exercise, avoiding tobacco), regular medical follow-up, and emotional support all contribute to better long-term outcomes for survivors.

Your child’s healthcare team can discuss specific considerations for your child’s situation and connect you with survivorship programs designed to support long-term health and wellbeing.

our child should be told about their diagnosis as soon as possible, though the information can be shared gradually based on their age and understanding.

General principles:

• • Honesty builds trust: Being truthful helps build trust between you and your child, even though the news is difficult
  • Age-appropriate information: Tailor the information to what your child can understand
  • Simple, clear language: Use words your child knows and can understand
  • Reassure about blame: Children may think they caused the cancer or that it’s a punishment. Clearly explain that nothing they did caused it
  • Not contagious: Explain it’s not something they can catch or give to siblings or friends

By age group:

• • Infants and toddlers: May not understand words but sense stress. Focus on staying close and providing comfort
  • Preschoolers (3-5 years): Tell them the name of their cancer and simple facts about treatment. Use examples or play with dolls to help explain
  • School-age (6-12 years): Can understand that medicines help them get better. Answer their many questions honestly or find answers together
  • Teenagers: Often focus on how cancer changes their lives—friendships, appearance, activities. Include them in treatment decisions and respect their need for some independence

You don’t have to do this alone: Your child’s doctor, nurse, or child life specialist can help you decide what to say and how to answer questions. Many parents find it helpful to have a healthcare professional present during the conversation.

For most childhood cancers, siblings are not at significantly increased risk. Your child’s doctor can advise if genetic counseling is recommended for your specific situation.

Risk to siblings:

• • Usually not increased: The vast majority of childhood cancers are not hereditary, so siblings typically have no elevated risk
  • Genetic evaluation: Your family history and the type of cancer will determine if there’s any concern. Your doctor may refer you to a genetic counselor if needed
  • Rare genetic syndromes: In the small percentage of cases with genetic predisposition, siblings may be screened or monitored more closely

Emotional impact on siblings (equally important): Siblings of children with cancer face significant challenges:

• • Risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties including anxiety, depression, and PTSD
  • May feel neglected or less important as parents focus on the sick child
  • May worry about their brother or sister, about their parents, or about themselves getting sick
  • May feel guilty if they feel resentful or jealous of the attention their sibling receives

Supporting siblings: Make time for siblings, acknowledge their feelings, keep them informed at age-appropriate levels, maintain their routines when possible, and consider counseling support if needed. Child life specialists and social workers can help support the entire family.

Having a child with cancer is one of the most challenging experiences a parent can face. Your feelings and stress are valid and expected.

Common parent experiences:

• Overwhelming emotions: Fear, anxiety, guilt, anger, grief, and sometimes hope—often all at once
• Physical and mental exhaustion: The demands of treatment, hospital visits, and caregiving are immense
• Strain on relationships: Your partnership, if you have one, will face stress
• Financial pressure: Many families face financial hardship due to treatment costs and work disruption
• Symptoms of PTSD: Many parents experience post-traumatic stress symptoms during and after their child’s treatment

Strategies that help:

• Accept support: From family, friends, community, and professional counsellors
• Take care of yourself: You can’t care for your child if you’re depleted. Rest, eat, and attend to your own health when possible
• One day at a time: Focus on getting through today rather than worrying about the entire journey ahead
• Stay organised: Keep medical records, appointments, and medications organised to reduce stress
• Connect with other parents: Support groups for parents of children with cancer can be invaluable
• Professional help: Don’t hesitate to seek counselling or therapy for yourself

You’re doing your best: Parents often wonder if they could be doing more. Doctors want you to know: You’re doing everything you can, and you’re doing your very best. That’s what your child needs.

Organisations like KidzCan Zimbabwe provide comprehensive support services including psychosocial support, financial assistance, and case management to help families through this journey.

The need for hospitalization depends on your child’s diagnosis and treatment plan. Some children spend significant time in the hospital, while others receive most of their treatment as outpatients.

Hospitalization may be needed for:

• • Initial diagnosis and staging tests
  • Surgery
  • Intensive chemotherapy cycles
  • Stem cell transplant
  • Managing complications or side effects
  • Treatment of infections (children on chemotherapy are at higher risk)
  • Close monitoring during certain phases of treatment

What to expect:

• • Varied experience: Some children may have several long hospital stays, while others may mainly have outpatient visits with occasional overnight stays
  • Family accommodations: Many pediatric cancer centers provide accommodations for parents to stay with their child. Some organizations like KidzCan Zimbabwe provide housing support
  • Maintaining normalcy: Hospitals have programs to help children continue schooling, play, and maintain connections with family and friends
  • Child life specialists: These professionals help make the hospital experience less scary and more manageable for children

Even when not hospitalized, your child will have frequent clinic visits for treatments, blood tests, and monitoring.