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Most Childhood Cancer Survivors Face Chronic Diseases as Adults

A new study revealed that those who suffered from cancer in childhood but were cured are very likely to face heath difficulties at maturity.

This is the largest study ever developed on childhood cancer survivors. Experts collected data from nearly 10,000 people in 26 clinical centers. Participants at the study were people who suffered of cancer from 1970 till 1986, while they were kids.

Researchers suggested that although it was proved that children suffering from cancer are more likely to overcome the disease compared to adults, most of them have serious health problems, decades after being cured.

Figures indicated that nearly 67 percents of childhood cancer survivors face life-threatening health problems at adulthood. Most of them suffer from heart condition, stroke, infertility, osteoporosis, lung diseases, eye problems or kidney diseases.

Researchers explained that cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiations are responsible for the great risk individuals with childhood cancer are exposed to.

The study also revealed that women who suffered from cancer in childhood are more likely to face severe health problems as compared to men.

It was also claimed that childhood cancer survivors present great risk of developing the disease for the second time. Experts warn it is sometimes very probable for the cancerous tumor to reappear.

The findings were published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine.