The movie, based on Jodi Picoult’s novel of the same name, tracks a family’s journey through Kate’s acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Each is affected in a unique way, from the older brother who becomes almost invisible to his driven parents, to the younger sister who was genetically engineered to donate blood and bone marrow to her sick sibling. The movie is very powerful, and we strongly recommended it to anyone.

Here at Cinco Vidas, however, we were interested to see just how much a young girl, who is going through cancer, benefits from the simple things we’ve been talking about here, like manicures, wigs, and a night at the dance with an attractive young man. Having been bald since her chemotherapy, Kate grows angry when searching for a dress. “Don’t tell me they don’t stare at me, because they do,” she tells her mother. We see how children—particularly young girls—can be affected by cancer treatments, and how simple things such as a well-fitting wig, some makeup, a pretty dress, and a nice manicure can help boost confidence and give a child a few moments of happiness amidst all the struggle.

Each year, New York puts on a big prom for children fighting cancer at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The young patients get to borrow the fanciest dresses and gowns, all donated. “On that day,” says Dr. Farid Boulad, “everything that has to do with cancer is gone. And they are kings and queens and they are beautiful.” The children look forward to the event all year—evidence of how important such things can be.

Another thing that becomes clear as you watch the movie: with childhood cancer, we can become so obsessed with saving live that we forget to live life. It seems so wrong for a young child to be battling this disease, and certainly wrong for them to die of it. Sometimes that sense of wrongness propels us to go overboard trying to make it “right”—in other words, make the child well, the sooner the better. Of course, this is a natural and good response, but regardless of the outcome, as we concentrate on treatments and medications and getting better, we can’t forget to make sure the child enjoys life as a child. Interactions with other children; outings with family; the ability to pursue interests such as art, music, sports, as much as possible; all these things are of primary importance to any child, cancer or not, and must not be forgotten when nursing a sick child back to health.

A positive piece of news—in a study of Latino childhood cancers, Barbara L. Jones, PhD, MSW, an assistant professor and a co-director of the Institute for Grief, Loss, and Family Survival in the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin, found that cancer helped change the lives of the survivors—often for the better. “They were on a difficult path [and] a frightening cancer diagnosis caused them to stop and look at what they value, what is important. The kinds of things they thought about were the importance of their family and friends, who stands by you, what it means to be a good friend, what it means to be with someone, the value of life, appreciating the little things as well as life, and gratitude for others. They found meaning and their lives changed by facing a life-changing illness.”

If you or someone you know has a child with cancer, the Children’s Cancer Association is there to help, as well as many other organizations including the National Children’s Cancer Society, Children’s Cancer Web Page, and the American Cancer Society.  Cancerkids.org offers a place where children can tell their stories. And if you’re bringing in some sunshine to a young cancer fighter with a manicure or pedicure, a massage with lotion, or a makeover, remember to always use organic and non-toxic products on their tender skin.

Have you had an experience with childhood cancer? Please share your story.

Photo courtesy of matthewcrawford via Flickr.com.

A new study conducted by scientists from the National Cancer Institute followed 25,000 industrial workers in formaldehyde-producing plants for three decades, estimating the amount of formaldehyde each was exposed to while on the job. Workers with the highest exposures were 37% more likely to die from any blood or lymphatic cancer, and 78% more likely to die from myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells. Highly exposed workers were also nearly four times more likely to die of Hodgkin lymphoma. (Overall, the risk of cancer was low, causing only 319 of the 14,000 deaths during the study period.)

In 1995, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimated that approximately 2.1 million workers in the United States were exposed to formaldehyde. Professionals like lab technicians, mortuary employees, textile workers, and industrial workers who produce the chemical are exposed more than the rest of us. However, since the vapor or gas is easily released into the air, we all can come in contact with it through automobile emissions, pressed-wood products, cigarette smoke, gas stoves, kerosene heaters, and personal-care products. In March of this year, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) reported that most of the children’s bath products they tested were contaminated with the chemical. Insane, isn’t it? (Read our post on formaldehyde in baby products.) Even hurricane Katrina victims suffered respiratory ailments when exposed to formaldehyde in the trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to complete their risk assessment for the chemical, which would provide nationwide guidance on its danger to human health. The Formaldehyde Council, apparently, seeks further delays, pushing for a review by the National Academy of Sciences.

While government agencies take their time, what can you do to lower your risk? If you work in one of the aforementioned professions and you’re concerned, check your safety regulations on dealing with formaldehyde and strive to limit your exposure. In the home, keep rooms well ventilated, reduce humidity levels, and ask about formaldehyde content before purchasing pressed-wood products like cabinetry and furniture.

Finally, avoid nail polishes, nail hardeners, and bath products that may contain the chemical. Stick with organic brands from reputable companies like California Baby, Burt’s Bees, and Dr. Remedy. Again, this is why we all have to become our own authorities and read labels before purchasing any beauty, personal care, and baby products.

Has anyone in your family suffered from cancer as a possible result of formaldehyde exposure? Please share your story with us.

Photo courtesy of Snap Village.