1. Kirsten Bost 2 nd Block

2.  Thesis Statement: Childhood cancer affects children and their families physically, mentally, and financially.

3.  Topic Sentence: Childhood cancer affects children physically because treatments can be damaging and have harsh side effects.

4.  Main Point 1: Harsh side effects Harsh side effects include fatigue, flu-like symptoms, hair loss, and blood clotting problems.  Main Point 2: Damage healthy cells Other types of fast-growing healthy cells, such as blood and hair cells, also can be damaged along with cancer cells, causing adverse reactions, or side effects.

5.  Topic Sentence: Childhood cancer affects children mentally because they feel they have no control over their health and have lowered IQ.

6.  Main Point 1: Loss of control over health Patients with cancer and other disorders perceived significantly less control over their health than did healthy adolescents.  Main Point 2: Lowered IQ In a study, 9 of 18 survivors were having learning problems at school 5 years after diagnosis.

7.  Topic Sentence: Childhood cancer affects patients and their parents financially because treatments are expensive and require a lot of travel.

8.  Main Point 1: Treatment expenses In one study, 37% of families reported that they were forced to borrow money to cover the extra cost of treatment related to the child’s illness.  Main Point 2: Excessive travel Among other hardships, families with children who had cancer were required to travel 400 km to receive treatment.

9.  Thesis Statement: Childhood cancer affects children and their families physically, mentally, and financially.