After accidents, the most common health concerns for young children are (in order of incidence) childhood cancer, developmental disabilities, and asthma.

The best preventive measure you can take to reduce your child’s risk of developing one of these devastating illnesses is by creating a safe, clean, and toxin-free environment. This means making deliberate choices when you are purchasing products, from paint and carpet to shampoo and lotion.

Of course, this is by no means a guarantee of preventing any medical condition, but it is a good starting point for raising a happy and healthy child.

Childhood Cancer

The American Cancer Society estimates that 75% of all cancers are caused by environmental sources. Here are some additional facts about childhood cancers:

•     In 2007, an estimated 10,400 new cancer cases were expected to occur among children aged 0-14 years old. An estimated 1,545 deaths from cancer were expected to occur among children in 2007. [1]

•     Leukemia is the most common cancer in children under 15, accounting for 30% of all childhood cancers, followed by brain and other nervous system cancers.[2]

•     Cancer is the second leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 14 years of age, with unintentional injuries being the leading cause.[3]

•     The causes of childhood cancer are poorly understood, though different forms of cancer have different causes.[4] Parental and childhood exposure to pesticides and radiation may cause certain cancers in children.[5]

Disparities in Childhood Cancer

•     Hispanic children were reported to have a higher incidence of acute lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) than non-Hispanic white children.

•     Although national studies indicate that Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) children overall do not have higher rates of cancer compared to non-Hispanic whites, a smaller scale study conducted in California showed APIA children are at increased risk of developing acute non lymphocytic Leukemia (ANLL) compared with non-Hispanic white infants.[6]

Economic Impact of Childhood Cancer

Obviously the emotional impact on a family cannot be measured, but the financial burden only increases the stress of having a child diagnosed with cancer.

•     The total cost per case of childhood cancer was estimated to be about $623,000.[7]

[1]   American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures 2007.   Atlanta: American Cancer Society, 2007.

[2]   Jemal, A, Siegel, R, Ward, E, Murray, T, Xu, J, Thun, M (2007).  Cancer Statistics, A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 57(1): 43-66

[3]   IBID

[4]   EPA, America’s Children and the Environment, Second Edition, 2003, p 76.  See http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/publications.htm.

[5]   Reis, L.A.G., Smith, M.A., et al. (1999).  Cancer Incidence and Survival among Children and Adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975-1995.  Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute, SEER Program.  NIH Pub. No.99-4649.  http://www.seer.ims.nci.nih.gov/publications/pedmono. 

[6]   Reynold, P., Von Behren, J., & Elkin, E (2002).  Birth characteristics and Leukemia in Young children.  American Journal of Epidemiology, 155 (7): 603-613

[7]   Landrigan, Phillip et al. (2002).  Environmental Pollutants and Disease in American Children: Estimates of Morbidity, Mortality, and Costs for Lead Poisoning, Asthma, Cancer, and Developmental Disabilities.  Environmental Health Perspectives, 110 (7): 771-778