Definition
Incidence rate of leukemia in children for a defined population in a specified time interval. Rates are age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. Standard Population. Rates are per 100,000 population.Numerator
Number of new cases of leukemia in children among a defined population in a specified time interval. Cases were selected using ICCC recode ICD-0-3/WHO recode.Denominator
Defined population in a specified time interval. Population age groups 0-14 and 0-19 are both found to be useful by the International Classification of Childhood Cancers (ICCC).Why Is This Important?
In general, childhood cancers are rare and represent about 1% of all cancers. Leukemias are the most common childhood cancers, accounting for about 30 percent of all cancers in children age 0 - 14 years. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) accounts for about 75 percent of childhood leukemias. At this time, we do not know what causes most leukemias.How Are We Doing?
Between 1990 and 2018, New Jersey childhood leukemia incidence rates (ages 0 - 14, and 0 - 19), were generally stable. On average, 107 children ages 0-19 are diagnosed annually with leukemia in New Jersey. Mortality rates for most types of childhood cancers have steadily decreased in recent years due to improved treatments.What Is Being Done?
A Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan was developed by the Task Force on Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment in New Jersey which aims to reduce the incidence, illness and death due to cancer among New Jersey residents. [https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ncccp/ccc_plans.htm]