Prince William County Public Schools

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Prince William County Public Schools recognizes September as Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the U.S. During the month of September, Prince William County Public Schools promotes awareness and supports our students, families, and loved ones who are suffering from this disease.

Cancer Awareness

• The most common types of cancer diagnosed in children ages 0 to 14 years are leukemias, brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and lymphomas
• Each year in the U.S., an estimated 15,780 children aged 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer.
• About 1 in 285 children will develop cancer before the age of 20.
• The average age at diagnosis is 10 overall (ages 0 to 19), 6 years old for children (aged 0 to 14), and 17 years old for adolescents (aged 15 to 19), while adults’ average age for cancer diagnosis is 66.
• Most new cancer diagnoses in children are for leukemia (28.1%) and brain/CNS cancers (26.5%), while malignant epithelial neoplasms and melanomas (23.3%) and brain/CNS cancers (21.9%) are top cancers for adolescents.
• Globally, more than 300,00 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.
• Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children worldwide, 100,000 children lose their lives every year to cancer.

Resources

• Children's Brain Tumor Foundation
  • A Resource Guide for Parents of Children with Brain or Spinal Cord Tumors
• Coronavirus: What People with Cancer Should Know - National Cancer Institute
• Resources for Pediatric Oncology Patients and Their Families - INOVA Life with Cancer. This website provides a wide variety of resources to include:
  • Books and CDs
  • Diagnose and Treatment
  • Camps and Retreats/Special Events
  • Groups and Programs
  • Employment/Insurance Help and Advocacy
  • Financial Resources
  • School Issues
  • Transportation to and from Treatment/Other Treatment Center
• Support for Families When a Child Has Cancer - National Cancer Institute
• Types of Cancer - National Cancer Institute
• We Can Help - American Childhood Cancer Organization
• We Support Families Fighting Childhood Cancer - Children's Cancer Research Fund