Childhood Cancer: Prevention Strategies and Options

Determining how to prevent cancer in children involves a critical distinction between cancers that develop during childhood and the lifestyle factors that influence cancer risk later in adult life. While many pediatric cancers are caused by random genetic mutations and cannot be prevented, specific public health interventions can lower the likelihood of certain cancers developing in adulthood.

According to the American Cancer Society, most childhood cancers are the result of DNA changes, or mutations, that occur early in a child’s life or even before birth. These are typically acquired mutations that happen during cell division when errors occur in the copying of DNA, particularly when cells are growing rapidly.

Because these mutations are often random, the American Cancer Society states that most childhood cancers cannot be prevented. These acquired mutations occur only in the affected person’s cells and are not passed on to their children.

Known Risk Factors for Pediatric Cancer

Although the majority of cases are random, certain factors are believed to increase the risk of a child developing cancer. These include exposure to radiation, secondhand smoke and certain inherited syndromes.

Inherited genetic mutations, which are passed from a parent to a child, cause only a small number of childhood cancers. In most instances, it takes several different gene mutations for cancer to actually form.

Common Types and Statistics

In the United States, the National Cancer Institute estimates that 9,550 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in children from birth to 14 years of age in 2025. Approximately 1,050 children in this age group are expected to die from the disease in 2025.

The most frequent types of cancer diagnosed in children between the ages of 0 and 14 are:

• Leukemias
• Lymphomas
• Brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors

Despite these figures, the National Cancer Institute notes that cancer death rates for this age group declined by 70 percent between 1970 and 2020, though it remains the leading cause of death from disease among children.

Preventing Cancer Later in Life

While preventing cancer during childhood is often not possible, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that parents can lower their children’s risk of developing cancer as adults through specific health choices.

One of the primary interventions is the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. HPV is a common virus passed through sexual contact that can cause cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and the oropharynx, which includes the tonsils and the base of the tongue.

The CDC recommends that all preteens receive the HPV vaccine when they are 11 or 12 years old, though vaccination can begin as early as age 9. Teenagers and young adults up to age 26 who have not completed the series are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Sun protection is another critical factor in long-term prevention. A few serious sunburns during childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer in adulthood. The CDC recommends the following protections:

• Staying in the shade
• Wearing sunglasses, hats, and clothing that covers the arms and legs
• Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher

maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active helps prevent childhood obesity. Because adult obesity increases the risk of serious health problems, including cancer, developing healthy eating habits early in life is a key preventive measure.

Treatment and Research Developments

The treatment of childhood cancer differs from adult oncology. Pediatric oncology is a dedicated medical specialty focused on the specific needs of children, as the type of treatment depends on the specific cancer and how advanced the disease is.

To improve outcomes, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has doubled funding for childhood cancer research that utilizes artificial intelligence.