Teenage Cancer Trust

The vast majority of people know of at least one person whose life has been touched by cancer. This could be someone close who has suffered from the illness or someone who has lost a friend or relative to the disease.

Although harrowing for anyone, cancer always seems to be worse when it hits a child or teenager. On average six teenagers are given the terrible news that they have cancer every day. That adds up to over 2000 a year.

Statistics show that 1 in 330 boys and 1 in 420 girls will be diagnosed with cancer before they reach 20 years old. Over the past 30 years the number of teenagers and young adults with cancer has risen by 50%. This is made worse by the fact that teenagers often contract some of the most aggressive cancers. The impact of these cancers is accentuated by the growth spurts a teenager goes through.

The increase in the number of teenagers with cancer means that it has become the most common cause of death in the age group. Survival rates have fallen below those for children and older adults.

One thing that makes teenage cancer harder for the sufferer is the lack of specialised treatment units specifically for teenagers. This means they are often treated with older patients or kept in a children's ward. This makes it harder for them as they are cut off from their immediate peer group. At such a sensitive and difficult time in their development this isolation makes a horrible situation even more difficult for them.

This is where the Teenage Cancer Trust comes in. The trust works hard to raise money to improve the treatment facilities available to teenagers with cancer. At the time of writing the Teenage Cancer Trust are building 22 units within NHS hospitals specifically for children.

In addition to the medical facilities each of the units has areas where friends and families can visit. They are also kitted out with computers with internet access, pool tables, playstations, satellite TV and musical instruments. These are all beneficial to helping a teenagers sense of wellbeing whilst recovering. The other big advantage of the units is that they give teenagers the chance to meet others in the same situation as they are.

As well as the unit the Teenage Cancer Trust helps in other ways. These include an Education Awareness Team. The team visits schools and other groups within the community helping to raise awareness. The presentations they give also include an explanation of the type of diets children can adopt to reduce the risk of cancer.

In addition there is the TCT Support Network. Part of the valuable work this group carries out is to provide one to one and group counseling.

For more information about the work of the Teenage Cancer Trust please visit: Teenage Cancer Trust

If you would like to help you can either make a donation or but from their online shop. The shop sells a variety of goods including books, clothing, DVD and Christmas cards. Teenage Cancer Trust Shop

NOTE: The health section of Parenting.co.uk is not to be used as a substitute for your GP; if your child is ill then seek the advice of a qualified doctor or other health professional without delay.

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