Oncological diseases among children in Armenia, as well as worldwide, are less common than with adults, according to the head of childhood oncology and chemotherapy department at National Center of Oncology, professor <b>Grigory Badalyan</b>.

“Annual increase in cancer cases in Armenia comprises 7000; 80-100 cancer carriers are children. Over the last 10 years, cancer incidence grew by 15% with adults and by 7-8% with children. Still, there’s no reason to panic, as over 65% of children diagnosed with cancer are fully recovering after the treatment,” prof. Badalyan said at a news conference, dated to February 15 International <b>Childhood Cancer Day</b>.

“Still, childhood cancer is in many respects different from adult disease: latent period lasts several months, with treatment results revealing themselves soon. Childhood cancer risk period lasts 2 years: the child is considered recovered in case no recurrences were registered at the expiration of the period,” he explained.

According to him, malignant tumors can develop in children of any age, yet, children aged 2-4 and 10-12 are at highest risk.

In conclusion, the professor advised special care for pregnant women by avoiding stress, smoking and use of carcinogens to prevent possible occurrence of cancer in unborn children.