September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and in this episode, Erica and Leah take a deep dive into why this month matters and what the latest research reveals about pediatric cancers and their long-term impact. From global disparities in care to the overlooked risks of melanoma in children and survivors, this is a must-listen for anyone invested in the health and future of our youngest fighters. Plus—a big giveaway alert you won’t want to miss.

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GIVEAWAY TIME:

We're running a weekly giveaway through the end of Season 5 (October)
Here’s how to enter:

1. Rate & review the show on Apple or Spotify
2. Screenshot your review
3. Either: DM us the screenshot OR share it to your IG Stories and tag us
4. One winner announced each week!

THIS MONTH'S TOP STORIES:

1. Overview: Why is September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?

• Global Stats: Childhood cancer affects ~400,000 kids (0–19 yrs) globally each year.
  Survival Rates: Increased from 58-68% in the 1970s to 83-88% today in high-income countries.
  Global Disparities: Only 30% survival in low/middle-income countries.
  WHO & St. Jude Partnership: The 2018 Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer aims to boost global survival to 60% by 2030.

2. Study Reveals New Clues Into Childhood Cancer Survivors’ Increased Risk of Melanoma

• Childhood cancer survivors are 2x more likely to develop melanoma.
• Their risk of dying from melanoma is also doubled.
• Study looked at 25,000+ survivors across the U.S. and Canada.
• Risk Factors:
  • High-dose radiation
  • Alkylating agents
  • Bleomycin (increases sun sensitivity)

3. Pediatric Melanoma

• Pediatric melanoma cases rose ~1.7% yearly (1975–1994), then declined.
• Sharpest rise in girls 15–19, possibly due to tanning habits.
• ~400 pediatric melanoma cases diagnosed in the U.S. annually.
• 🔗 Listen to Episode 37 for our conversation with her mother, Marianne Banister, founder of the Claire Marie Foundation.

4. Parents warned of skin cancer risk in children

• Emphasizes that children’s skin is more vulnerable than adults’.
• Sunburns in childhood = higher risk of skin cancer later.

Join us for our upcoming Yoga Event with the Claire Marie Foundation! Sign up & learn more here.

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