Each September, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) joins the global health community in marking Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This year, IARC is reinforcing its commitment to improving understanding, prevention, and treatment of cancers that affect children and adolescents worldwide.
Unlike adults, children are more likely to develop cancers such as leukaemias, lymphomas, and tumours of the central nervous system. According to IARC’s latest estimates, more than 275,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed annually in individuals aged 0–19 years, underscoring the urgent need for targeted research and action.
One of the greatest challenges in preventing childhood cancer is that its causes remain largely unknown. While lifestyle-related risk factors are often linked to adult cancers, paediatric cancers may stem from complex interactions between genetics, environment, and early-life exposures. This makes early detection and innovative research crucial.
IARC scientists, in collaboration with international partners, are at the forefront of projects to:
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