Medical students are often taught “when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.” In other words, the more common explanation is the most likely. You may have heard of “Occam’s razor,” a problem-solving principle that uses this approach.
Your headache is much more likely to be from dehydration or stress than it is to be a brain tumor.
At the same time, we as parents want to be vigilant in protecting our children from any illnesses they may encounter. And while cancer is the word that strikes fear in every heart and isn’t even an option we want to consider, catching cancer early is often key in successful outcomes.
Because of this, knowing what signs to watch for will help you be a better advocate for your child. While these signs may not always mean cancer, they do indicate that you will want to see a physician. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Growths and masses can start small and grow slowly. Whether it appears to be the growth of an existing mole or the sudden appearance of a strange lump, head to the doctor as soon as you notice. If your child is old enough to understand and communicate, instruct them to tell you if they notice anything strange on their body that wasn’t there before. Be observant and have them keep a lookout, too!
While you might be dealing with a benign cyst or other harmless growth, getting it checked is worth the peace of mind.
Leukemia impacts the body’s ability to produce enough platelets to plug bleeding vessels. Bruises occur when trauma causes blood to pool beneath the skin’s surface. Frequent bruising or bruises that have difficulty healing may be a sign that something is off with platelet production. Speaking of bleeding, be on the lookout for any unexplained or persistent bleeding, including blood in the urine or stool and nosebleeds or bleeding gums.
Generally speaking, children shouldn’t be fatigued without a clear reason. If your child experiences frequent lethargy and fatigue despite getting enough sleep at night, investigate. Even if it isn’t something as medically serious as cancer, this chronic lack of energy may be a response to stress or symptoms of depression. Either way, it’s worth checking into.
If your child is frequently ill with infections, vomiting, fevers, or headaches, be on high alert. Recurring or persistent symptoms of illness can indicate a deeper problem as the body tries to fight against cancer or another underlying cause. If they’re not getting better and staying better despite treatment and doctor’s recommendations, then consider the possibility of more serious causes.
Unexplained weight loss is one of the first warning signs of lung, pancreatic, stomach, and esophageal cancers. This is usually weight loss of at least ten pounds without any significant changes to diet, appetite, or exercise. 40% of cancer patients report that weight loss was one of their first signs of cancer.
There are two things to watch for when it comes to vision changes as a sign of cancer: how the eye sees and how the eye looks! Make sure you child knows to tell you if they experience sudden vision loss, blurry or double vision, flashes of light, dark spots, or floaters in the eye. Additionally, watch for any changes in how their eyes look. Unusual reflection in photos (often appearing as white spots), bulging, or other physical changes in the way the eye looks may indicate problems that need addressing.
Pain should never be ignored. Healthy children shouldn’t feel persistent, unexplained pain: not headaches, not stomachaches, chest pains, back pain, or bony pain. If there’s no reason for it and it isn’t getting better with rest, see your doctor as soon as possible.
At the end of the day, the chances of your child being diagnosed with cancer is still rather slim. Don’t let anxiety over a potential cancer diagnosis rule your thoughts. Instead, be aware of what to look for and, rather than getting wrapped up in worry, take proactive steps to secure a diagnosis and treatment – regardless of the cause.