Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

December is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which runs throughout the UK every year. Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research are determined to beat childhood blood cancers, including leukaemia and lymphoma.  

To mark this important month in 2011 we highlighted the blood cancer leukaemia: how this disease affects children and families and how our outstanding research continues to improve treatments for these young patients.

How we're beating childhood leukaemia today

Milestones in the treatment of childhood leukaemia

​What is childhood leukaemia?

​Leukaemia is the most common form of cancer in children. This blood cancer affects the white blood cells, a really important part of our immune system which fights infection. Around 450 children are diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK every year. Most of these children develop a type called acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Another type, called acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is much less common.

What are the symptoms?

In most cases childhood leukaemia develops very quickly and the symptoms can appear over a matter of days. Symptoms can be vague and difficult to recognise, and include frequent and persistent infections, bruising, bleeding and tiredness.

Why do some children develop leukaemia?

Ultimately childhood leukaemia is caused by a genetic fault in the DNA of the child's blood cells. Recent research has shown that this genetic mistake is present in some of the blood forming cells at birth. This genetic fault is present in many more children than go on to develop leukaemia. Our scientists believe that some sort of environmental trigger, such as an infection, is likely to cause the condition to develop into full blown leukaemia in some children.

How we're beating childhood blood cancer

50 years ago childhood leukaemia was a virtual death sentence. Today, thanks to breakthroughs in research, nine in ten children survive the most common form of childhood blood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

But there are still some children for whom the outlook is not so good and the treatments necessary to save lives remain intensive with side effects including infertility, heart problems and secondary cancers.

However, research is making a difference to the lives of those diagnosed today.

Help Beefy beat childhood blood cancer

In April 2012 Sir Ian Botham, our charity's president, will be walking to beat childhood blood cancer.

Beefy first encountered blood cancer when in hospital for a sporting injury in the 80's. Here he met children affected by leukaemia, he was told most would lost their fight. Inspired by their bravery, in 1985 he embarked on his first charity walk to support our research into better treatments.

To date, Beefy has raised over £13 million for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

You can help Beefy beat childhood blood cancer and sign up to walk with him in 2012.