Few things hurt parents more than seeing their children sick. Even a bad cold can spark concern, so the thought of a childhood cancer diagnosis is unimaginable.
The good news is that fewer children are dying from cancer, thanks to treatment advances. But there’s bad news, too: The number of cancer diagnoses among young people is increasing. As an example, over the past 20 years, colon cancer rates have more than tripled in teens ages 15-19.
While there’s no sure way to prevent childhood cancer, there are steps you can take as a parent to reduce your child’s risk for it.
Strengthen their immune system through a healthy diet. Make sure your children eat mostly healthy, nutrient-rich foods. That means more fresh and less processed foods. Getting daily doses of recommended vitamins and minerals helps keep the immune system healthy, and that can give their bodies the boost they need to fight the development of cancer cells.
Talk to your kids about smoking and tobacco use. Nearly 90% of people start smoking before the age of 18. Between peer pressure, media depictions of tobacco use, and the curiosity to try things, youths are likely to experiment with tobacco. Talk to your kids early about the dangers of tobacco use, including the risk of cancer. And if you use tobacco, consider quitting. Children often model behaviors they see in their parents.
Cigna’s free Tobacco Cessation Program can help you quit for good. Participate over the phone, online or both. Call 1-877-459-9896 or visit myCigna.com.
Make sure they get the HPV vaccine. The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes various types of cancer and affects both males and females. Fortunately, the vaccination can prevent 90% of HPV-related cancers, including cervical, vaginal, anal, vulvar, penile, oropharyngeal, and other head and neck cancers.
The HPV vaccination is available at no cost at the MNPS Health Care Centers (by appointment), Kroger Pharmacy in the Employee Wellness Center (walk-ins available), and most other pharmacies.
Teach them sun safety early. Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer. In fact, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. And just a few bad sunburns during childhood can increase your kids’ risk of skin cancer when they’re older.
Instill these sun-safety habits now to reduce their chance of developing cancer later:
Seek shade when possible.
Wear sunscreen — SPF 30 or higher — and reapply it often.
Wear a hat with a wide brim.
Wear clothing with a tight weave or built-in SPF protection.
Avoid the sun’s strongest rays, generally between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
For more information about sun safety, check out these CDC Sun Safety Facts.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention