Child cancer rates are up

ONE child in 440 will develop cancer before 15, says a report by medical journal BEH.

The figures, based on studies from 2000-04, show a slight rise on previous ones. However, this is probably the reult of better recording of figures and diagnostic techniques, the journal said.

Cancers are slightly more common among boys than girls and are the biggest cause of child mortality after accidents.

Half of cases develop before age five.