Childhood Cancer: What Every Parent Should Know
22 February 2026
Childhood Cancer: What Every Parent Should Know
When a child falls ill, most parents assume it is a common infection. In most cases, they are right. Children frequently experience fevers, coughs, and stomach aches as their immune systems develop.
However, there are times when persistent or unusual symptoms may signal something more serious. Although childhood cancer is rare, awareness of the warning signs can make an important difference.
Our Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Haematologist and Oncologist, Dr Yap Tsiao Yi, share important insights about cancer in children and what all parents need to know about this disease.
What Is the Most Common Cancer in Children?
In Malaysia, with a population of approximately 32 to 34 million, about 800 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Among all childhood cancers, leukaemia is the most commonly diagnosed type.
Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It affects the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells and is most frequently seen in children compared to other cancer types.
Fortunately, outcomes for childhood leukaemia have improved significantly with modern paediatric oncology care.
My Child Is Often Sick. Could It Be Cancer?
This is a very understandable concern for many parents.
Young children commonly fall sick, especially during their early years. However, parents should be more alert when symptoms are persistent, unexplained, or repeatedly recurring.
Signs parents should watch for include:
- Prolonged or repeated fever without clear signs of infection
(for example, no runny nose or cough, yet the fever keeps returning) - Enlarged lymph nodes that are large, increasing in size, and feel “matted” together
- Persistent abdominal pain that does not go away
- Morning headaches accompanied by vomiting
These symptoms do not automatically mean cancer. However, if they persist or seem unusual, it is important to seek medical evaluation by a paediatric specialist promptly.
Are Childhood Cancers the Same as Adult Cancers?
Childhood cancers are very different from adult cancers.
Adult cancers are often linked to long-term lifestyle factors and environmental exposures, such as diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, and workplace hazards. These cancers usually develop over many years.
Children, on the other hand, have had limited exposure to such risk factors. As a result, childhood cancers are typically not strongly related to lifestyle or environmental causes.
What Are the Chances of Recovery?
While any cancer diagnosis is deeply distressing, outcomes for childhood cancer are more encouraging than many people realise.
Overall, about 80% of children diagnosed with cancer recover. Early detection, accurate diagnosis, and timely treatment significantly improve outcomes.
A Message for Parents
Parents know their children best. If something feels unusual, persistent, or concerning, trust your instincts and seek medical advice. Early evaluation not only provides reassurance but can also make a critical difference when timely treatment is needed.
Awareness saves lives, and early action gives children the best chance for a healthy future.
