Are children's cancers the same as adult cancers?
No. Common cancers in adults such as breast, prostate, lung and bowel cancers are partly caused by older age, environmental and lifestyle factors such as obesity, drinking too much alcohol and smoking. These cancers are very rarely seen in children.
Some cancers found in children are also seen in adults, such as leukaemia. However, even when the diagnosis is the same, the diseases often behave differently in people of different ages.
Is it something we have done?
No. The causes of childhood cancer are still mainly unknown. It is thought some childhood cancers could relate to problems when the baby was developing in the womb that were impossible to prevent or detect during pregnancy.
Over the years, there have been many changes in the way children are brought up, their activities and diet, and you may wonder if these changes have caused the cancer. There is no scientific evidence to support this.
Someone else in our family has had cancer. Is it in our genes?
In some families where a child has been diagnosed with cancer, an adult member of the family may also currently have cancer, but this is unlikely to be connected. Gene changes resulting in cancer cells will usually have only occurred in that individual and not because of an inherited faulty gene.
Very occasionally, childhood cancers do run in families. For example, an eye tumour called retinoblastoma is known to have genetic links and the family will be advised about whether there is a need to monitor other family members for the condition.
What treatment will my grandchild have?
Treatment options usually include surgery, chemotherapy drugs and radiotherapy. Other types include immunotherapy and targeted therapy. These may be used individually or in various combinations. Treatment can last a number of weeks, months and even years. Your grandchild may also receive extra medication to help with side effects such as pain, feeling sick
and being sick.
Many families say that living through a cancer diagnosis and treatment is like an emotional rollercoaster with ups and downs and unexpected hospital admissions. There will be times when your grandchild will feel poorly and tired, and other times when they can go to school and play with their friends.
Who will be looking after my grandchild?
There are 21 main treatment centres (hospitals) across the UK and Ireland that have specialist children’s cancer units. Your grandchild will usually receive treatment at the one nearest to where they live. There is also a ‘shared care’ system where your grandchild may receive some of their treatment at their local hospital so that they do not need to travel long distances.
Many healthcare professionals are involved in your grandchild’s care through a multidisciplinary team (MDT) at your child’s hospital. This team includes doctors, nurses, dietitians, play specialists and psychologists as well as other professional roles.
Will my grandchild be cured?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions, but it is also the hardest one to answer. This is because there are so many factors to consider which are unique to your grandchild: how the cancer is behaving in your grandchild’s body and how their body reacts to the cancer and it's treatment.
It is tempting to search for survival rates, statistics, and whether children who had a similar diagnosis survived. But it is important to remember these are general statistics covering all patients – they do not tell you what will happen specifically to your grandchild.
Today, 84% of children with cancer are cured although survival rates vary greatly between cancer types. There is always ongoing research into finding better and kinder treatments.
What if I find something online that claims to cure my grandchild's cancer?
You may come across many things claiming to cure cancer in the media, ranging from diet supplements to experimental treatment overseas, but these can be misleading and inaccurate.
Sensationalist headlines can raise hopes about new cures and treatments but quite often the science behind the story is based on promising early trial results or results shown in the lab. In these cases, it is too early to know whether the treatment will work in clinical practice.
Friends may tell you of people they have known who have been cured of the disease. Similarly, some may come across less encouraging stories. Whatever you hear, it is important to remember that every cancer patient and every diagnosis is different which is why one single cure is unlikely.
Your grandchild’s doctor is the only one who knows their individual condition and will certainly know about any real developments and discoveries in cancer medicine that could help your grandchild.
What happens when treatment finishes?
Ending treatment is something to look forward to with happiness and relief. But it can also bring mixed emotions while families try to readjust to normal life again while mentally processing the magnitude of what has happened.
It is very common to worry that your grandchild's cancer will come back. It is an anxious time but your grandchild will be regularly checked and monitored by the hospital so that any changes can be acted upon straightaway. Having treatment as a child can sometimes cause long-term side effects (called late effects) later in life as adults. Late effects of childhood cancer can include issues with any organ or body system, such as heart, lungs, teeth, hormones, fertility and the psychological impact of having had cancer.
It is really important your grandchild continues to attend a long-term follow-up clinic at the hospital for check-ups. This makes sure your grandchild is fully supported throughout their life so any concerns are flagged up straightaway.
Grandparents can help to encourage their grandchild to lead a healthy lifestyle as they become older by not smoking, applying sunscreen, maintaining a healthy diet and staying physically active. This helps to reduce your grandchild’s cancer risk.
What happens if treatment is unsuccessful?
If cancer does not respond to first treatment or your grandchild relapses sometime after finishing treatment, there may be other options available. Your grandchild may receive treatment as part of a clinical trial which may mean they will receive a new drug or treatment before it is available as standard. In many cases, cancer will respond to treatment again.
Sadly, there are some children whose cancer cannot be cured. At this point, the focus changes to palliative care and helping your grandchild to be as comfortable and pain-free as possible. In these cases, it is comforting to know that your grandchild and family will be fully supported with specialist help and care from the hospital, community and local hospice.
Reviewed: July 2024
Next review date: July 2027