February 15 is International Childhood Cancer Day

International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is a global collaborative campaign that takes place every year on February 15 to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among children and adolescents worldwide; approximately 280,000 children under the age of 19 are diagnosed with cancer each year.

From 2013 to 2023, the incidence rate of malignant neoplasms among adolescents aged 15-17 in Armenia increased by 135.9%, rising from 9.2 to 21.7 per 100,000. In contrast, the incidence rate among children aged 0-14 remained nearly unchanged, at 8.4 per 100,000 in 2013 and 8.7 per 100,000 in 2023.

Leukemias and lymphomas are the most common types of childhood cancer in Armenia, accounting for approximately 50% of cases. The number of pediatric solid tumors is estimated at 40-50 cases per year, with central nervous system tumors, sarcomas, and kidney tumors being the most frequently diagnosed.