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Childhood cancer symptoms can be easily missed - here's what to look out for

Although rare, cancer is the leading cause of death from disease among children under 15 in the UK - yet just under a third of parents say they feel confident recognising the symptoms. About 1,900 cโ€ฆ

Childhood cancer symptoms can be easily missed - here's what to look out for
BBC Health โ€” 11 October 2026
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Although rare, cancer is the leading cause of death from disease among children under 15 in the UK - yet just under a third of parents say they feel confident recognising the symptoms.

About 1,900 children aged 0-14 are diagnosed with cancer each year, according to Cancer Research UK.

Thirteen-year-old Amelia Carroll, who is now in remission, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) last year.

Her mum Gemma recalls the initial symptoms being easy to overlook.

There was the tiredness, she says, and being out of breath after mild exercise but both were put down to being unfit and just post-school fatigue.

It was only when Amelia started presenting with bruises Gemma knew something wasn't right - within 10 days Amelia got her leukaemia diagnosis.

Prof Bob Phillips, a paediatric oncologist, says it's key for parents to look out for clusters of symptoms that may be persisting, getting worse or bigger.

Lumps and bumps that are getting bigger or not going away and growing over time

Read Full Story at BBC Health โ†’
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