Less Is More When Treating Kids With Cancer
BOSTON (CBS) - Some doctors now think you can do more for kids with cancer by actually doing less.
A new study tracked more than 34,000 childhood cancer survivors over several decades.
"What it's shown," says Dr. Anna Franklin at the Anderson Cancer Center, "is that over the years, the rates of children of childhood cancer survivors dying from a complication of their cancer treatment, is becoming less and less."
The study showed more limited use of radiation, avoiding certain drugs, and changing the way chemo is given has not hurt kids' chances of survival. It's also cut down on what's known as "late effects" - damage to the heart, lungs or other organs caused by some radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
"They'll have a better quality of life as survivors and also their treatment will be less intense and I think that even learning these things along the way creates less distress for the families," adds. Dr. Franklin.
It's something that parents like Marsha Stringer has seen firsthand. That's because both of her sons were diagnosed with leukemia at a young age, and are cancer-free now as young adults.
"People would never guess that they had cancer. They're healthy and doing well in school and able to play sports and they've lived very normal lives. How great is that for parents and kids that this is still happening to, and I hope people see this and it gives them hope," she said.
Experts point out that 50 years ago, less than 30 percent of kids with cancer survived, but now over 80 percent will. The fact that they can help those 80 percent live healthier lives as they age makes cancer specialists very happy.
