Childhood Cancer Statistics (children aged <15 years at diagnosis)

• In the US, about 10,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. (1)
• In California, about 1,250 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. (2)
• About one-third of all childhood cancers are leukemia. (3)
• In California, about 450 children are diagnosed with leukemia each year. (2)
• About three-quarters of childhood leukemias are acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). (3)
• In California, about 360 children are diagnosed with ALL each year. (2)
• ALL is the most common type of childhood leukemia and the most common type of childhood cancer. (3)
• Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death of children. (3)
• Cancer is the second leading cause of death in children. (3)
• Each year in the US, the number of childhood deaths is about 1,400 due to cancer, about 400 due to leukemia, and about 170 due to ALL. (4)
• Each year in California, the number of childhood deaths is about 200 due to cancer, about 70 due to leukemia, and about 35 due to ALL. (2)

This information comes from:

(1) Ries LAG, Melbert D, Krapcho M, et al. SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2004. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Retrieved December 26, 2007, from http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2004.

(2) California Cancer Registry (June 2011) and California Department of Public Health Center for Health Statistics Death Master Files, California Department of Public Health, Cancer Surveillance Section.

(3) Ries LAG, Smith MA, Gurney JG, Linet M, Tamra T, Young JL, Bunin GR (eds). Cancer Incidence and Survival among Children and Adolescents: United States SEER Program 1975-1995, National Cancer Institute, SEER Program. NIH Pub. No. 99-4649. Bethesda, MD, 1999.

(4) United States Cancer Statistics: 1999 – 2008 Mortality, WONDER Online Database. United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2011. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/CancerMort-v2008.html on Aug 6, 2012 10:08:19 PM