Parents often ignore shortness of breath with little exertion, pale skin or unexplained bruises on the body, thinking them to be normal problems. However, these can be early signs of cancer. In the UK, about 1,900 children under the age of fourteen are diagnosed with cancer every year.
Children are often unable to clearly describe their physical illness. Therefore, parents should pay special attention. The main signs are shortness of breath with little exertion or being tired all the time. The body becomes pale or shows signs of anemia. Sudden bruises or red spots appear in different parts of the body without any injury.
If a lump or swelling appears anywhere on the body, it does not decrease with time but continues to grow. It is important to pay attention to whether multiple symptoms are appearing at the same time. Especially excessive fatigue, unusually pale skin, bruises without injury.
These symptoms do not mean cancer. However, if the symptoms are prolonged or increase, it is not right to ignore them. In the early stages, parents often mistake these symptoms for simple fatigue, a cold or the stress of going to school.
When thirteen-year-old Amelia in the UK was suffering from excessive fatigue and breathing problems, everyone thought that she might be a little unfit physically. But later, when red spots and sores appeared on her body, she was tested and diagnosed with leukemia or blood cancer. Fortunately, Amelia is now living a healthy life because she started treatment at the right time.
The survival rate of children after being diagnosed with cancer in the UK is more than eighty percent. If the disease is detected at the right time, it is very easy to defeat cancer and return to a healthy life. So a little awareness and a correct understanding of the symptoms can give your child a safe future.