New data shows that in America, cancer among children is the highest in the Northeast and lower in the South. While Leukemia is more common in the Western states, the rates of brain cancer and pediatric lymphoma are significantly higher in the Northeast.
The Alarming Rise Of Cancer
Experts cannot determine the reason for why there is a difference in cancer rates yet, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stresses that the main concern is making sure doctors, hospitals, and the government are prepared to take care of the children. The National Cancer Institute suggests that there could be genetic variations in different populations since 5 percent of childhood cancer comes from inherited genetics.
The team from the CDC states that the rates of certain cancer types could vary depending on the child's race. The team continued that children who are Hispanic have the highest rate of leukemia, pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and the states with a higher population of Hispanics have the highest cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Lower Rates In The South
Studies have found that New Hampshire had the highest rates of pediatric cancer at 205 per million, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey. South Carolina and Mississippi had the lowest rates of cancer with 149 per million being reported. The Northeast has a cancer rate of 188 out every 1 million among children, while the south has rates of 168 out 1 million among children.
"Variation in childhood cancer incidence might be related to differences in exposures to carcinogenic chemicals (e.g., air pollution, secondhand smoke, food, or drinking water) or radiation," the team led by CDC epidemiologist Dr. David Siegel, wrote.
The CDC notes that 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States who are under the age of 19 and 10,000 cancer cases among 14-year-olds and under. Some cancers do occur from genetic mutation happened after a child is born.
Despite the alarming rates, the survival rate is high, with 80 percent of children surviving. In America, the most common causes of cancer include tobacco, alcohol, and obesity.
However, these are not normally risk factors children have. Studies have also examined pesticides, infectious agents, and residing near nuclear power plants to see if these factors lead to the rise of childhood cancer. However, the results have been mixed. The study did note that more research was needed to validate these new findings.
