Childhood cancer is rare. The treatment plan for each child with cancer will depend on the type of cancer and its location in the body.
Recently, scientists have developed ways to use the immune system to help treat cancer called targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
How can the immune system help treat cancer?
The immune system is the body's defense against infection (bacteria and viruses), allergens (like pollen) and cancer cells. Immune cells are called white blood cells.
The body learns over time to protect itself by making special white blood cells and proteins called antibodies.
When a cancer cell is in the body, white blood cells called Antigen Presenting Cells tell other white blood cells called Helper T cells to activate Killer T cells to destroy it. Helper T cells also activate B cells (another type of white blood cell) to make proteins called antibodies. Antibodies label the surface of the cancer cells so that other white blood cells can find and destroy it.
Types of immunotherapy
Research has found ways to treat cancer by increasing a person's own immune response to cancer cells in their body. This is called cancer immunotherapy.
Types of cancer immunotherapy include:
Antibodies. Just like the antibodies made by the immune system, doctors can give extra antibodies against the cancer cells. The body's normal white blood cells then find and kill the cancer cells.
Drugs that turn white blood cells on or off. Medications help to increase the body's immune response against cancer cells.
Tumor vaccines. In the same way that vaccines against infections cause the body to make antibodies to a virus or bacteria, tumor vaccines cause the body to make antibodies to cancer cells.
Cellular therapies. Giving special white blood cells to the patient that help to treat cancer cells. An example is CAR T cells.
What are CAR T cells?
CAR T cells are a type of immunotherapy called cellular therapy. CAR stands for Chimeric Antigen Receptor. CARs are designed by scientists to attach to the surface of a person's white blood cells T cells.
Scientists take a patient's own Killer T cells from a blood draw and in the laboratory add a protein receptor that is specific for a cancer cell marker (antigen). This new receptor called a CAR allows the Killer T cell to find and attack the cancer cell. The new T cells are given back to the patient into the vein as cancer treatment.
What cancers can CAR T cells treat?
CAR T cells have been made to treat many types of cancer, including leukemias (cancers of the white blood cells) and lymphomas (cancers of the lymph nodes), solid tumors (cancers in different parts of the body) and brain tumors. In many cases CAR T cells are still in development or being studied in clinical trials with different success rates.
Do CAR T cells have side effects?
CAR T cells can cause side effects. These may include changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and brain function. The side effects are managed in the intensive care unit (ICU) with supportive medications.
CAR T cells for treating different cancers will have different side effects. For example, sometimes CAR T cells make patients prone to infections. Infusions of antibodies (IVIG) and special antimicrobial agents can be given to help fight infection.
Talk with your child's doctor
If you or your child has cancer, you can talk with their oncologist (a doctor that treats cancer) to find out if CAR T cell therapy is the right treatment for the cancer.
Managing Screen Time and Dealing with Temper Tantrums: Valuable Advice for Parents
Concerned About Your Child's Screen Time and Tantrums?
Many parents and caregivers share the concern about the amount of time their children spend on digital devices. This worry stems from the fear that excessive screen time is taking over their child's day, replacing essential activities crucial for good health.
Creating a family media plan can help establish healthy digital habits. While you may want to reduce your child's time spent gaming, browsing the internet, or watching videos, this alone may not address the temper tantrums that often occur when it's time to stop.
Dealing with the End of Screen Time
Children may react strongly when asked to put away their devices, expressing their frustration through screaming, crying, or even physical resistance. These tantrums can disrupt daily routines and lead to power struggles, making it challenging to achieve a balanced and healthy use of technology. Understanding how digital media can influence a child's mental and emotional state is crucial before addressing their behavior.
Effects of Digital Media on the Brain
Limiting screen time is difficult for most people, regardless of age. Engaging in enjoyable activities like playing video games or socializing on social media triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, associated with positive feelings. However, when these activities stop, dopamine levels drop, leading to feelings of irritability and resentment. This phenomenon, known as the "dopamine loop," is exploited by digital platforms to keep users engaged.
Moreover, some individuals use media not just for pleasure but also to avoid negative emotions like distress or boredom. However, when the media is removed, these emotions resurface because they were never addressed in the first place.
Addressing Tantrums and Tech Limits
Despite having a well-planned media strategy, tantrums related to screen time are inevitable, especially when children are tired, hungry, or stressed. Here are some strategies to help children manage their emotions when it's time to stop using digital devices:
Stay calm and composed during tantrums to model positive behavior.
Avoid lecturing during meltdowns as children may not respond logically.
Utilize device settings to set time limits and reminders for screen time.
Provide a designated space for children to calm down when needed.
Redirect physical aggression towards activities that release energy in a focused manner.
Engage older children in alternative activities they enjoy more than screen time.
Monitoring Your Child's Tech Use
While occasional tantrums over screen time are common, persistent challenges like frequent meltdowns, changes in behavior related to excessive screen time, difficulty managing emotions without screens, or withdrawal from real-life interactions may require professional guidance from a pediatrician.
Remember, setting boundaries and managing screen time effectively are ongoing processes that require patience, understanding, and consistent communication within the family. These efforts contribute to developing healthy tech habits that children can carry into adulthood.
Immunization for Preteens, Adolescents, and Young Adults
Between the ages of 7 and 18, children and teenagers require several essential vaccines for their protection.
These vaccines are crucial in preventing severe health issues such as infertility, muscle paralysis, brain damage, blindness, deafness, and cancer.
Medical authorities like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a specific schedule for these immunizations based on two key factors:
The optimal effectiveness of the vaccine with the child or teen's immune system at that age.
The critical need for protection during this period.
If your preteen or teen has missed any vaccinations, it's essential to consult their pediatrician to ensure they are fully protected. Vaccines not only safeguard your child but also contribute to the safety of others, which is why all states mandate vaccination for school or childcare attendance.
Here's an overview of the recommended vaccines for preteens, teens, and young adults and the diseases they guard against:
Meningococcal Vaccine: Administered around age 11 or 12, this vaccine protects against several bacterial strains labeled A, B, C, W, and Y. There are different types available, such as MenACWY, MenB, and MenABCWY, depending on specific health conditions or age groups.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Booster (Tdap): Given at age 11 or 12, this booster defends against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. Subsequent booster doses are necessary every 10 years.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: This vaccine, recommended between ages 9-12, protects against various cancers caused by HPV, including cervical, penile, anal, mouth, and throat cancers, as well as genital warts.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: Recommended annually for everyone aged 6 months and older, including teens, the flu shot is highly effective in preventing severe cases of influenza that may require hospitalization.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Safe and effective, the COVID-19 vaccine is crucial for protecting teenagers and younger children from long-term complications associated with the virus.
For those who are behind on vaccinations, it's important to catch up on recommended immunizations like hepatitis A and B, polio, pneumococcal vaccine, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, and chickenpox (varicella) vaccine.
Many colleges and universities require students to be vaccinated, so it's advisable to check these requirements before heading off to college.
Overall, these recommended vaccines not only safeguard older children and teens but also contribute to the broader community's safety, potentially saving lives in the process.
The Importance of Co-Viewing: Strategies for Sharing Screen Time with Children
Many parents today are concerned about their children's online activities and what they're learning from their digital interactions. However, online experiences can offer valuable learning opportunities for children, such as improving conversation skills and decision-making abilities. To ensure children benefit the most and avoid potential harm, parents and caregivers should guide them.
Creating a family media plan is one strategy to promote healthy digital habits among kids and teens. Co-viewing, which involves watching or playing digital content together, can be both enjoyable and beneficial. It allows parents to gain insight into their child's online experiences within a context of trust and sharing. Co-viewing can facilitate important conversations, strengthen parent-child bonds, and help children navigate the digital world positively.
Co-viewing entails joining children in activities like movie nights, gaming sessions, viewing YouTube or TikTok videos, exploring apps or websites, and listening to music or podcasts. It's important to approach co-viewing with a balanced perspective on the benefits and risks of digital technology. While excessive screen time can have negative effects, it's essential to focus on how digital content can support learning, development, and play.
Benefits of co-viewing and co-playing include introducing new vocabulary, encouraging active participation, modeling positive behaviors, building academic skills, and fostering social connections. However, it's crucial to monitor children's online activities and address any concerns thoughtfully during co-viewing sessions.
Here are ten tips for successful co-viewing and co-playing:
Ask for permission to join your child's digital activities.
Show genuine interest in your child's preferences and follow their lead.
Practice attentive observation to understand your child's experience.
Embrace moments of physical closeness during co-viewing.
Use open-ended questions to encourage conversation.
Reserve judgments and address concerns calmly and later if necessary.
Look for opportunities to enrich the experience through related discussions.
Stay active and engage in physical activities related to the digital content.
Use co-viewing to initiate positive conversations, especially with older children.
Include co-viewing in your family media plan to promote responsible digital usage and create shared guidelines.
By incorporating co-viewing and co-playing into family media habits, parents can stay connected with their children's digital experiences and guide them toward healthy and responsible online behavior.
The Importance of Outdoor Play for Children
No matter the weather, outdoor play benefits children's health, supported by scientific evidence and loved by kids of all ages. Spending time in nature fosters environmental stewardship, even with accessible options like school playgrounds, backyards, or local parks. This guide explores ways for families to embrace outdoor play and nature experiences, starting from infancy to adolescence.
Early Exposure: Introducing babies to nature early encourages a lifelong love for the outdoors. Simple activities like walks in nature, outdoor tummy time, and sensory experiences with bubbles and natural textures can be enjoyable and beneficial for infants.
Preschoolers and Grade-School Age: Young children benefit from hands-on nature activities like building sculptures, playing in mud, biking or walking in the neighborhood, outdoor story time, and socializing with friends outdoors.
Older Children and Teens: Keeping older children engaged with nature can involve scavenger hunts, nature collections, creative outdoor games like secret spy missions, sports activities, picnics, and barbeques with friends and family.
The health benefits of outdoor play include physical fitness, improved motor skills, lower risk of obesity and myopia, enhanced learning outcomes, positive behavior changes, reduced stress and depression, improved focus, and better impulse control.
Remember to dress appropriately for the weather, practice good hygiene during outdoor activities, and advocate for safe outdoor spaces for all children. Embracing nature and outdoor play is beneficial for everyone's well-being.