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UK Evaluation Cancer rates in children are increasing dramatically
Today, more and more people are getting cancer. The diseases often end with the death of those affected. Researchers have now discovered that even children are increasingly ill with cancer. In less than two decades, the number of childhood cancer cases increased by forty percent.
The charity researchers Children with Cancer Uk found out in a study that the number of cases of cancer among children is increasing rapidly. Within the last twenty years, about 40 percent more children have cancer. The causes for this are manifold. For example, air pollution and the use of pesticides are linked to this increase. The physicians are publishing the results of their study at a Child Cancer Awareness Month conference.
Scientists made a disturbing discovery. More and more children and adolescents are getting cancer. In the UK, cancer is the most common cause of death in children under the age of 14. (Image: Frantab / fotolia.com) Many children suffer from cancer
Cancer is a malignant tissue regeneration or a malignant tumor. The corresponding diseases are widespread in the world. Physicians have long been looking for new drugs and treatment options against the dreaded cancers. Not only adults are at risk of cancer, more and more children are suffering from cancer, quotes the British newspaper "The Independent" the scientists.
Cancer cases in children increase by 40 percent
Within less than two decades, the cancer rate in children increased by about 40 percent. There are approximately 1,300 additional cancer diagnoses in the UK each year for people under the age of 25, compared to 1998, the researchers explain. These additional illnesses cost the National Health Service (NHS) approximately £ 130 million a year. The reasons for the diseases are manifold. For example, other studies have recently shown that children of overweight fathers are at increased risk of breast cancer.
Which cancers are particularly common in children?
It is alarming, for example, that the cases of colorectal cancer in children have increased by 200 percent. Thyroid cancer in children has more than doubled. Cancers of the ovary increased by 70 percent, say the scientists. Cervical cancer increased by 50 percent in children.
Cancer most common cause of death in children under 14 years
In the UK alone, about 4,000 children and adolescents develop cancer each year. Cancer is the leading cause of death among children under the age of 14, the physicians are quoted by the daily newspaper The Independent. The strong increase of 40 percent in about 16 years is partly due to population growth. However, the incidence rate per 100,000 people has also increased by 30 percent, explain the scientists.
Lifestyle and environmental factors influence cancer risk
The lifestyle and environmental factors play a major role in the development of cancer, explains Professor Denis Henshaw, scientific director of Children with Cancer UK. The significant increase in cancer can not be explained solely by improvements in the diagnosis of cancer or the registration of cancer. Lifestyle and environment are additional causal factors that we need to consider, says Professor Henshaw. In addition, scientists found that natural radiation also increases the risk of cancer in children.
Air pollution and pesticides increase the risk of cancer
There are many causes for this dramatic increase. Burnt meat when grilling and electric fields from power lines and hair dryers, for example, increase the risk of cancer, say the scientists. The diet of pregnant mothers and shift work have an effect on the likelihood of cancer, reports "The Independent", citing Professor Henshaw. It is also known that many cancers are due to air pollution and the use of pesticides and solvents. It is very difficult to avoid some of these factors. For example, curbing global air pollution is like fighting a losing battle, the expert adds.
Large cancer conference on the topic of cancer in children
Children with Cancer UK is currently hosting a three-day international conference on child cancer. In particular, the new possibilities of immunotherapy and influenceable causes of cancer in childhood are discussed. Another big topic is the so-called precision medicine. This looks at the genes of living things, the environment and the lifestyle of those affected, the researchers say.
Targeted therapies have good effects
There are already early signs that the so-called precision medicine for childhood cancer shows good effects. This type of treatment is likely to save many lives in the future, the researchers speculate. Targeted therapies can reduce the burden of toxicity. These treatments could also improve the quality of life of those affected. (As)