Folic acid in pregnancy “shield” for the occurrence of cancer in children

We are very optimistic about the strides that have been made in the last twenty years in the treatment of childhood cancer, as we have a huge improvement in the survival of children and adolescents with the advancement of therapeutic approaches. It is characteristic that while in 1970 55-60% survived, today 80-85% are alive five years after diagnosis, which potentially means that a cure has occurred.

The optimistic facts are cited by Fm Agency and on Tania H. Madouvalou’s show “104.9 MYSTIKA HYGEIAS” by the pathologist, professor of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the EKPA School of Medicine Dora Psaltopoulou, who is giving an interview ahead of the upcoming World Childhood Cancer Day , on Wednesday, February 15.

More likely cancers to expect at these ages are leukemias, brain cancer, central nervous system cancer, and lymphomas. K

and the most rare are kidney cancers, sarcomas and bone tumors, says Mrs. Psaltopoulou, to then add that “childhood cancer may constitute a small percentage of the total cancer, however at these young ages cancer together with accidents being considered the leading causes of death in the developed world.

In less than 10% there is a genetic predisposition

What role does heredity play in childhood cancer? It is a question that parents also ask when their child is diagnosed, says the professor. “Indeed there may rarely be any genetic predisposition, perhaps less than 10% of cases, and this genetic factor increases the likelihood quite a bit. However, many times these mutations are created that lead to cancer without a specific cause. There have been studies of parental smoking or use of certain chemicals, but these too may simply show a slightly increased chance. Also, radiation in the environment can slightly increase the probability, while on the other hand, the intake of ferric acid in pregnancy is considered to reduce the probability of developing cancer in children. In general, though, when we talk about cancers, we’d say there’s nothing specific that greatly increases or greatly decreases the chance. And in thousands of children these cases are very sporadic, such as e.g. in Greece where every year 400 children and teenagers are diagnosed with cancer».

Childhood cancer is not easily preventable, but it has a better prognosis than in adults

To the question of whether extracorporeal, and especially repeated, triggers carcinogenesis in children, Ms. Psaltopoulou answers that there is a lot of data, post-analyses are being carried out and nothing of the sort has yet been found, but more investigation is definitely needed. According to the professor of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, the data that have been published internationally so far do not show an increased chance of cancer in the child after the mother’s IVF. One of the most frequently asked questions by parents is whether they could have prevented cancer in their children and whether they did anything. “For the vast majority they can’t prevent it, because it’s not like adults where we say don’t smoke, watch out for obesity, alcohol, etc. so as to reduce the chance of cancer, because 30-40% of cancers in adults can be prevented. Childhood and adolescent cancer is not something we can easily prevent, but the prognosis compared to adults is better.”

Symptoms that should worry parents

But what are the symptoms that should worry parents? “Any symptom of the child that does not seem normal to us is good to get into the process of checking it further. That is, for example, some problem with the child’s vision, some swelling of the lymph node, some pain in the bones, bruises and bruises on the skin, persistent headaches or something on the skin that is not usual. Very rarely can a child’s seizure be related to cancer. For this reason, in any case, when the parent sees something unusual, they should always contact the pediatrician and he should refer to thorough examinations, in order to rule out the possibility of malignancy».

Mrs. Psaltopoulou, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Friends of Children with Cancer ELPIDA, recalls how enormous the work offered by the Association is, as 80% of cancer and hematologic and solid organ cases in childhood and adolescence are referred to the Oncology Unit Children’s “Marianna V. Vardinogiannis-Elpida”.

“With the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit (the first in Greece), the operation of the Elpida hostel and the Cell and Gene Therapy Center created in 2020, huge efforts are being made so that now all children get the help and the treatment they need. And it is important to emphasize that because the majority of children survive, in some cases they present health or psychological issues, for which we must always be by their side and help them”.

RES-EMP

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