September 24, 2016

Pediatric Cancer

A cancer diagnosis is upsetting at any age but even more so when the patient is a child. According to the National Institutes of Health, it’s estimated that more than 10,000 new cases of pediatric cancer will be diagnosed among children in the U.S. this year. Worldwide, that number reaches 250,000. Although pediatric cancer death rates have declined by nearly 70 percent over the past four decades, cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease among children. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and on the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, pediatric hematologist/oncologist Dr. Carola Arndt will discuss the importance of research and clinical trials to improve pediatric cancer treatments. Also on the program, September is the first ever Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month. Rheumatologist Dr. Eric Matteson will explain diagnosis and treatment options for rheumatic diseases. And we will learn how medical marijuana is being used to treat disease symptoms and pain from addiction specialist Dr. Jon Ebbert.