Worldwide Cancer Trends

Many people in the United States think that increased exposure to pollution, pesticides, and preservatives has increased the incidence of cancer. However, over the last few decades, the incidence of cancer has been declining in higher-income countries and increasing in poorer countries.

Childhood Cancers 

Cancers that occur in childhood seem to have a different etiology than cancers of adults – they may be primarily inherited rather than due to environmental exposures. Most studies of childhood cancers find that their incidence remains fairly steady over time. However, deaths due to childhood cancers continue to drop as...READ MORE

A Primer on Leukemia in Children

Leukemia is one of the most common and debilitating cancers that is found in children. Children who suffer from leukemia have cancer within the marrow of their bones and within the cells that make up the blood. This cancer is especially aggressive and most often affects children who were otherwise healthy. It can be somewhat difficult to treat, but children who receive the proper care and support can often overcome it. Children who have had leukemia can be expected to live a normal life after the cancer.

What are the symptoms of leukemia?

Symptoms of leukemia can be difficult to pinpoint, because they include some common symptoms of other conditions. Frequent bruising is a common symptom, but bruises are also common in children because they are constantly moving and playing. Fatigue, frequent colds, stomachaches, and even headaches can also be symptoms of leukemia in children. If you suspect that your child is displaying symptoms of leukemia, you should...READ MORE

The Mahak Facility in Iran

Dedicated to helping children and their families cope with the diagnosis of childhood cancer, the Mahak facility in Iran provides a healing environment, specialized medical equipment, and ongoing support for its visitors. The facility was created solely on the basis of donations from compassionate individuals. In fact, several parts of the facility are named after a person or organization that has helped to make the facility a reality.

Completion
The Mahak facility began to take shape in the year 2000. By 2003, the rehabilitation areas of the facility were completed and ready to begin accepting patients. Additions were added to the original plan, which made the facilities around two times the original size. The entire size of the hospital is about 86,000 square feet.

In February of 2007, the Ministry of Health in Iran granted the final permits that were required for Mahak to begin operating. These permits allowed the hospital to...READ MORE

The Background and Mission of Mahak

The Mahak cancer facility in Iran works to fight childhood cancer. It was established in the 1990s after an Iranian mother struggled through the battle of cancer with her daughter. It is an international facility that is funded solely by donations and through the goodwill of others. The foundation originally began by simply working out of local hospitals to support children suffering from cancer. In 2007, a state-of-the-art hospital center was opened in conjunction with the charity organization, allowing children to heal in a happy and comfortable environment.

Childhood cancers are devastating and detrimental to the health and happiness of children around the world. When the Mahak foundation began, it was unique because it focused on supporting children all over the world, unlike many other worthy charities that focus on specific areas of countries. While the Mahak hospital is located in Iran, the organization is dedicated to...READ MORE

Explaining a Cancer Diagnosis to Your Child

If your child has just been diagnosed with cancer, there is an overwhelming list of things to consider and accomplish. From scheduling treatments to changing many aspects of your everyday life, the road ahead will be challenging and difficult.

However, one of the first and most important things that you will have to do is explain to your child that they are sick. Providing your child with trust and reassurance can be difficult, especially if you are seeking some reassurance of your own as a parent.

Here are some things you can remember when explaining a cancer diagnosis to your child:

• If your child is older and has already heard of cancer and formed his own thoughts on the condition, you will need to find a balance between being delicate and being honest. Be open and gentle, but avoid protecting your child from the truth about their diagnosis unless he is too young to understand. It’s important for your child to feel like...READ MORE

Childhood Cancer: What About My Other Children?

A cancer diagnosis is devastating for an individual of any age, but it is particularly difficult for families dealing with a childhood cancer diagnosis. Dealing with childhood cancer can be frustrating, terrifying, and devastating at the same time. Throughout the process, many parents understandably overlook how difficult the diagnosis can be on the siblings of the child with cancer. Of course, any steps you take to help your family through this process should be with the help of your child’s care team, which ideally should include a therapist or guidance counselor.

Be Honest

Siblings should be as informed on the cancer situation as the rest of the family is, as long as it is age appropriate. It can often be scarier to know something isn’t right without being given an explanation. You can discuss the scary parts of the situation, and also share the potential positive outcomes. Be prepared to answer any questions that the sibling has with as much honesty as possible – it’s even okay to say...READ MORE

Cancer Treatment Methods: An Overview

Childhood cancer is a devastating and terrible disease, regardless of its type. Fortunately, there are a handful of treatment options that are used to treat cancers worldwide, with strides being made in more treatment methods every day through research and testing. Being familiar with each treatment method, and its potential side effects, can help parents stay informed.

Some of the most frequently used cancer treatment methods are:

Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy utilizes a mix of chemicals that are toxic for cancer cells. This method is the most common and has been used for nearly every type of childhood cancer. Unfortunately, chemotherapy can be very hard on the body. The chemicals that kill cancer cells can kill healthy cells, too. Many children who undergo chemotherapy experience side effects like hair loss, anemia, nausea, and fatigue. Fortunately, the side effects dissipate when the chemotherapy is...READ MORE