September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and this year, the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation is focusing on raising awareness of the specific health issues of adult survivors of childhood cancers. According to the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation, as recently as thirty years ago, few children with cancer survived, but now almost 75% can look forward to being cured. However, treatments can come at a high price. While there are, of course, immediate effects, there are also late effects including learning disabilities, second cancers and post traumatic stress disorders in the survivors and their parents. According to Candlelighters, many survivors of childhood cancer do not get the proper follow-up care from physicians familiar with the late effects of childhood cancer.
Suggested resources from the Candlelighters for patients, survivors and their families include information on where to find the closest comprehensive clinic for survivors at the Association of Online Cancer Resources. ACOR also offers an online support group for survivors.
