Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer deaths in children with almost ten a week being diagnosed. A dedicated campaign to increase public awareness of brain tumour symptoms in children and young people is being launched by a coalition of medical experts and brain tumour charities.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust and the Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre at the University of Nottingham have joined forces to create HeadSmart, which will support clinicians and parents in recognising the symptoms of a brain tumour.

In the UK, children and young people wait longer to be diagnosed with a brain tumour than in many parts of the developed world. Delays in diagnosis cost lives; swift medical intervention can mean a better outcome for patients. These delays frequently result in long-term disability and HeadSmart hopes that greater awareness of the symptoms will improve this.

Professor of Paediatric Oncology at the University of Nottingham, David Walker announced HeadSmart to the clinical community at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health's Annual Conference (5th-7th April) so that healthcare professionals can familiarise themselves with the aims of the campaign, become involved in its development and most importantly become more aware of the symptoms of brain tumours.

Professor David Walker has said:

"Diagnosing brain tumours is not easy and the symptoms can often be mistaken for other conditions. But brain tumours do happen and delays in diagnosis cost lives. HeadSmart is about working with clinicians and parents to help them recognise these symptoms, and become more brain tumour aware. It also aims to provide practical resources that will aid early diagnosis and guide action that will lead to better outcomes for patients."

Notes

1. The practical resources that HeadSmart will provide at the campaign's public launch in June are:

a) a dedicated website
b) educational symptom cards
c) posters
d) The Diagnosis of Brain Tumours in Children - Guidelines

2. Key facts about brain tumours in children and young people

- Brain Tumours are the leading cause of cancer deaths in children
- A quarter (25%) of all child cancers occur in the brain
- Around 500 children and young people in the UK are diagnosed with brain tumours every year; that's almost 10 children a week
- In the UK, Children and young people wait longer to be diagnosed with brain tumours than in many other countries
- Brain tumours are the primary cause of long-term disability in the UK
- Delays in diagnosis cost lives; swift medical intervention can mean a better outcome for patients

3. HeadSmart campaign members:

- Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust
- The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre at the University of Nottingham

Source:
HeadSmart