In principle, it has been determined that certain genetic changes are mainly responsible for the appearance of cancer in children, but it has not yet been possible to establish precisely what causes these changes. However, there are a number of myths about cancer in children, frequently encountered, the debunking of which is good to know.
Myths about cancer
Any tumor is cancerous.
Not all tumors are cancerous (malignant). In some cases the cells that have undergone changes continue to grow locally without spreading to other parts of the body, forming what are called benign tumors. However, these benign tumors can become a problem due to the pressure exerted on neighboring tissues or organs and must usually be removed, but without the need for a treatment against their spread throughout the body.
Cancer is a death sentence.
The survival rate of children with cancer is very high (approx. 75% of patients who receive specialized treatment are cured).
The environment in which the child grew up (diet, degree of pollution, etc.) caused cancer in the child.
In the case of children, environmental factors cannot have a direct influence on the occurrence of cancer, because the child’s exposure to such factors is not long-lasting. Therefore, it has not yet been proven that any specific food can cause cancer in children.
For example, acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children has a 5-year survival rate after treatment of about 85%.
Child cancer is inherited from parents, grandparents, etc.
Hereditary cancer cases are extremely rare. In most cases the disease is NOT inherited.
The appearance of cancer in a child increases the risk of the appearance of the disease in his brothers or sisters.
In most cases, having cancer in one of your children does NOT increase the risk that his or her siblings will also develop the disease.
Cancer is contagious.
Cancer is NOT contagious, so it cannot be transmitted from adult to child, from one child to another or from child to adult. During the treatment, the child is sometimes isolated, but this is only because due to the disease and the treatment administered, the body’s self-defense capacity (immunity) is low, the child being vulnerable to infections.