London: Cancer remains the leading cause of disease-related deaths among children under 15 in the UK, despite being relatively rare. However, fewer than one-third of parents say they feel confident recognising its symptoms, highlighting the need for greater awareness and earlier diagnosis.
According to Cancer Research UK, around 1,900 children aged 0 to 14 are diagnosed with cancer each year. A further 2,300 teenagers and young adults aged 15 to 24 receive a diagnosis annually.
Medical experts are urging parents to pay attention to symptoms that persist, worsen or appear together, as early recognition can help children receive timely treatment.
Common signs of Childhood Cancer
Prof Bob Phillips, a paediatric oncologist associated with the Children and Young People’s Cancer Association (CCLG), advises parents to seek medical advice if a child experiences unexplained or persistent symptoms.
Signs to watch for include:
- Extreme or unusual tiredness.
- Unusual paleness.
- Unexplained bruising.
- Lumps or swellings that increase in size or do not disappear over time.
These symptoms can have many causes and do not necessarily indicate cancer. However, persistent or worsening symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional. Childhood cancers can progress rapidly, making it important to identify concerning changes and investigate them promptly.
Campaign calls for earlier diagnosis
A national awareness campaign is encouraging healthcare professionals to consider referrals when a child presents with three persistent symptoms, visits a doctor three times for the same concern, or experiences three weeks of unexplained symptoms.
The approach aims to reduce delays in diagnosis and ensure children with possible cancer receive appropriate investigations sooner. According to Phillips, around half of children diagnosed with cancer in the UK receive their diagnosis within two weeks.
However, some families experience waits of 16 to 25 weeks between the appearance of initial symptoms and confirmation of the disease. Earlier diagnosis may also help reduce the intensity of treatment required.
Childhood cancer survival rates
Survival outcomes for childhood cancer have improved considerably since the 1970s. More than 80 percent of children diagnosed with cancer in the UK survive for five to 10 years or longer after diagnosis, although outcomes vary according to the type of cancer and other factors.
Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow, can cause symptoms such as fatigue, breathlessness and unusual bruising. These signs may initially be mistaken for common childhood conditions or everyday tiredness.
Another childhood cancer, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, is a type of soft tissue cancer. Depending on the tumour’s location, symptoms may include swelling or a growing mass.
Cancer Research UK reports more than 400,000 new cancer cases across all age groups in the UK each year. Data cited by the British Medical Journal indicates that 54 percent of patients are diagnosed within the NHS’s 28-day target period.
Health experts continue to emphasise the importance of recognising persistent symptoms, seeking medical advice and improving referral pathways to support earlier diagnosis and treatment.
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