The American Cancer Society released a report Friday that concludes despite the increasing number of cases of childhood cancer each year, the mortality rate has dropped by half since 1975.
The study is being touted as one of the most comprehensive analyses of the types of cancers that most commonly affect children and adolescents.
Each year there are increasingly new diagnoses of pediatric cases, mostly blood and lymphatic cancers such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At 187 cases per 1 million youths in the United States (ages 0 to 19), childhood cancers are rare compared to adults, but these diseases are the second leading killer for preadolescent children.
The death rates in 2010 had declined to 24 per 1 million kids and adolescents.
With better technology and treatment options, as well as early diagnosis, the outlook for cancer and medicine may seem a little brighter.
The report estimates that there will be 15,780 new pediatric oncology cases and about 1,960 deaths will occur among children and adolescents from birth to 19 years old.
S.C. Rhyne is a blogger and novelist in New York City. Follow the author on twitter @ReporterandGirl or on Facebook.com/TheReporterandTheGirl and visit her website at www.SCRhyne.com
