Factual Research

My tutor noted that I had done a lot of research on the emotional and personal aspects of teenage runaways and cancer in teenagers which was good, but I had not done a lot of factual research. She advised me to do so to support and validate my designs.

I devised a set of questions for each subject to focus my research:

Teenage Runaways:

1. Statistically, how likely are teenage males and females likely to runaway in relation to each other, in the UK? - Boys are more likely to runaway at a very young age but after the age of 14, girls were twice as likely to leave home http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/514411.stm 
2. How many runaways are reported each year in the UK? - It is estimated that over 100,000 young people runaway each year.  http://makerunawayssafe.org.uk/sites/default/files/Make%20Runaways%20Safe%20-%20full%20report_0.pdf  It is estimated that 77,00 run away for the first time
3. Statistically, how many runaways return home in the UK? I could not find a return rate for runaways in the UK. I found that those return, usually return of their own accord. Some end up living on the streets.
4. Statistically, how many young people are raped after running away from home? - There are clear links between children who run away from home and child sexual exploitation http://makerunawayssafe.org.uk/sites/default/files/Make%20Runaways%20Safe%20-%20full%20report_0.pdf  I could not find any exact statistics.
5. Statistically, how many young people are abused after running away? A quarter of the 100,000 that run away each year will be at serious risk of harm while away from home. 1 in 12 admit to being hurt or harmed http://makerunawayssafe.org.uk/sites/default/files/Make%20Runaways%20Safe%20-%20full%20report_0.pdf
6. Statistically, what are the most common reasons for young people running away? - The main reason for running away is family problems, the most common of which is the threat of physical violence http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/514411.stm  A quarter of children say they were told to leave or physically forced to go. Children in care are 3 times as likely to runaway but only make up 2 % of the total number of runaways. A third of young people who said they were facing problems in school had run away. Over a third of children who have problems with alcohol, drugs or the police, run away. Around 1 in 5 who defined themselves as disabled or with learning difficulties had run away. Children with separated parents are 3 times as likely to run away. Children living with single parents are twice as likely to run away. Emotional and physical neglect or abuse, parental alcohol or drug abuse and parental mental health factors are all common contributory factors. Runaways are less likely to say their life is worth living or to have a sense of purpose and are more likely to feel depressed with nobody to talk to http://makerunawayssafe.org.uk/sites/default/files/Make%20Runaways%20Safe%20-%20full%20report_0.pdf
7. Statistically, how many young people abuse substances after running away? I could not find any exact statistics but it is not unusual for runaways to become involved in substance abuse. Many were already abusing substances before they ran away. Over a third of young people with drink or drugs problems has run away http://makerunawayssafe.org.uk/sites/default/files/Make%20Runaways%20Safe%20-%20full%20report_0.pdf 
8. How many young people are estimated to be living on the streets in the UK? - It is estimated that each year around 75, 000 young people aged 16-24 experienced some form of homelessness at some point. It is difficult to give exact statistics because of lack of data on the homeless http://homeless.org.uk/sites/default/files/Homeless%20Young%20People%20Statistics%20Jan%202011.pdf
9. What is the survival rate of young people living on the streets in the UK? I could not find a statistic for the whole of the UK but I did find that young men sleeping rough on the streets of London have a risk of dying 40 times that of the general population. Homeless people were found to be more at risk from accidents, suicide, alcohol and drug related illness, liver disease and respiratory infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and bronchitis http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/159664.stm 
10. Statistically, how many young people turn to prostitution after running away?  One in 14 runaways survive through stealing, begging, drug dealing and prostitution http://www.cypnow.co.uk/ypn/news/1062028/young-runaways-a-safe-harbour
11. Statistically, how many young people steal after running away? - 1 in 8 admit to stealing to survive http://makerunawayssafe.org.uk/sites/default/files/Make%20Runaways%20Safe%20-%20full%20report_0.pdf 
12. Statistically, how many young people get involved in drug dealing after running away? - One in 14 runaways survive through stealing, begging, drug dealing and prostitution http://www.cypnow.co.uk/ypn/news/1062028/young-runaways-a-safe-harbour
13. Statistically, how many young people get involved in crime in general after running away?  One in 14 runaways survive through stealing, begging, drug dealing and prostitution http://www.cypnow.co.uk/ypn/news/1062028/young-runaways-a-safe-harbour
14. What is the most common age of runaways in the UK? - 1 in 9 children run away before the age of 16. Most children run away between the ages of 13 and 15. However, a quarter will runaway before they are 13 and 1 in 10 before the age of 10 http://makerunawayssafe.org.uk/sites/default/files/Make%20Runaways%20Safe%20-%20full%20report_0.pdf 
15. Statistically, how many runaways in the UK, run away multiple times? - Just under a third of those that runaway, do at least 3 times. Nearly 1 in 10 run away up to 9 times. Just over 1 in 20 run away 10 times or more http://makerunawayssafe.org.uk/sites/default/files/Make%20Runaways%20Safe%20-%20full%20report_0.pdf
16. What is the average period of running away from home in the UK? - The majority runaway overnight. A quarter runaway for a period between 2-6 nights. 1 in 5 runaway for more than a week and half of those will be away for more than a month http://makerunawayssafe.org.uk/sites/default/files/Make%20Runaways%20Safe%20-%20full%20report_0.pdf
17. How many runaways in the UK, are estimated unreported? - Two thirds of children that runaway are never reported missing to the police http://makerunawayssafe.org.uk/sites/default/files/Make%20Runaways%20Safe%20-%20full%20report_0.pdf 

 Teenage Cancer Patients:

1. What is cancer? - Cancer is when abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/what-is-cancer 
2. How does cancer form? - All cancers begin in cells. The body is made up of many types of cells. These cells grow and divide in a controlled way to produce more cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy. When cells become old or damaged, they die and are replaced with new cells. But sometimes this orderly process goes wrong. The genetic material (DNA) of a cell can become damaged or changed, producing mutations that affect normal cell growth and division. When this happens, cells do not die when they should and new cells form when the body does not need them. The extra cells may form a mass of tissue called a tumour. http://www.parkwaycancercentre.com/about-cancer/how-does-cancer-develop
3. How is cancer triggered? - There are about 200 different types of cancer. It can start in any type of body tissue. What affects one body tissue may not affect another. There is no single cause for any one type of cancer. Cancer has many contributing factors. A carcinogen is a substance that can contribute to causing cancer. Other factor that can trigger cancer include age, genetic make-up, the immune system, smoking, body weight, diet, physical activity, day to day environment, viruses and bacterial infection http://cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-symptoms/causes/what-causes-cancer
4. How does cancer develop? - Not all tumours are cancerous; tumours can be benign or malignant. Benign tumours aren't cancerous. They can often be removed, and, in most cases, they do not come back. Cells in benign tumours do not spread to other parts of the body. Malignant tumours are cancerous. Cells in these tumorus can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body. The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another is called metastasis. Most cancers are named for the organ or type of cell in which they begin. For example, cancer that begins in the stomach is called stomach cancer. Some cancers do not form tumours. For example, leukaemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood. http://www.parkwaycancercentre.com/about-cancer/how-does-cancer-develop
5. What is the most common form of cancer in young people? The most common form of cancer in young adults (aged 15 - 39) is breast cancer. http://www.cancer.net/patient/All+About+Cancer/Cancer.Net+Feature+Articles/Expert+Information+from+ASCO/ASCO+Expert+Corner%3A+Young+Adults+With+Cancer Osteosarcoma is the most common form of cancer in teenagers. http://topics.dirwell.com/health/most-common-types-of-cancers-that-occur-in-teens.html  Leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerinChildren/DetailedGuide/cancer-in-children-types-of-childhood-cancers
6. What are the differences between these types of cancer? - Breast cancer is a malignant tumour that has developed from cells in the breast. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/understand_bc/what_is_bc.jsp Leukaemia is a cancer of the blood cells, which are produced in the bone marrow http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Leukaemiaacutelymphoblastic/AboutALL/Whatisleukaemia.aspx Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer but can spread to other parts of the body, usually the lungs or other bones. It usually develops in the osteoblasts (the cells that make growing bone) so most commonly affects teens experiencing growth spurts. http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/cancer/cancer_osteosarcoma.html 
7. How do these types of cancer affect the body? - Symptoms of breast cancer include lumps or thickening of the breast tissue, continuous pain, one breast becoming larger or lower, puckering or dimpling of the skin on breast, nipples becoming inverted, changing shape or position, nipples developing a rash, crusting or developing a discharge, swelling under the armpit or around the collar bone, and continuous pain in the armpit. http://www.breastcancercampaign.org/page.aspx?pid=610&gclid=CKPXs426vK8CFWwntAodBUQnmA Symptoms of Leukaemia caused by bone marrow failure include paleness, tiredness, and shortness of breath, excessive bleeding, and increased susceptibility to infections. Cancer cells can also infiltrate organs such as the lymph nodes, spleen, and liver leading to swelling. http://www.cancerquest.org/leukemia-symptoms-detection.html?gclid=CJn1msq7vK8CFc0htAodrX5PmQ Other symptoms of Leukaemia include weakness, anaemia, frequent infections, fevers, chills or flu-like symptoms, weight-loss, excessive or easy bruising, pain in the bones and joints, abdominal discomfort, night sweats, and headaches, seizures and vomiting when the spinal cord is affected. http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/in_depth/cancer/leukaemia1.shtml Symptoms of osteosarcoma usually include pain and swelling in the legs or arms. It occurs most often in the longer bones of the body. Pain may be worse during exercise or at night, and a lump or swelling may develop in the affected area up to several weeks after the pain starts. In osteosarcoma of the leg, you may develop an unexplained limp. In some cases, the first sign of the disease is a broken arm or leg, because the cancer has weakened the bone to make it vulnerable to a break. http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/cancer/cancer_osteosarcoma.html  You may also experience reduced movement of a joint. Less common symptoms are tiredness, pins and needles, weight loss, a high temperature or fever, night sweats and breathlessness. http://bcrt.org.uk/bci_symptoms_of_osteosarcoma.php 
8. What is the difference between radio and chemotherapy? - Radiotherapy is the use of high energy x-rays and similar rays (such as electrons) to treat disease. Many people with cancer will have radiotherapy as part of their cancer treatment. It can be given either as external therapy from outside the body using high energy x-rays, or as internal therapy from a radioactive material placed within the body. http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Radiotherapy/Generalinformation/Whatisit.aspx   Radical radiotherapy is used to try to get rid of cancer cells completely. The radiotherapy is given in small doses five days a week, often for four to five weeks. Prophylactic radiotherapy is given to stop cancer coming back in the same area after surgery and to reduce the risk of the cancer spreading (metastasising) to other organs. The radiotherapy is given in small doses five days a week for several weeks. Palliative radiotherapy is used when cancer can't be cured and is given to treat symptoms from cancer or to control the growth of the cancer. It is given in a single dose or a few doses over a much shorter period of time. http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/in_depth/cancer/carecancer_radio.shtml  Chemotherapy means drug treatment and it aims to cure cancer or relieve any symptoms cancer can cause. It can be used by itself, with surgery, with radiotherapy or both.  Chemotherapy can be given in a number of different ways; by injection, as an infusion, as a continuous infusion, as tablets, into a body cavity, as an ointment, or by a lumbar puncture(inserting a needle into your spine) so the chemotherapy reaches the fluid surrounding the brain. http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/in_depth/cancer/carecancer_chemo.shtml      
9. How does treatment affect the body? - Radiotherapy works by destroying cancer cells in the area that’s treated. Although normal cells can also be damaged by radiotherapy, they can usually repair themselves. http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Radiotherapy/Generalinformation/Whatisit.aspxeither Chemotherapy kills cancer cells or stops them dividing. In the same way that different bacteria are sensitive to different antibiotics, different cancers are sensitive to different types of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy reaches the cancer cells through the bloodstream and destroys them as they're in a dividing phase (two cells divide into four, four cells divide into eight, etc). Not all cancer cells are in the dividing stage; some will be in the resting stage and chemotherapy is unable to destroy these. Over the next few months, as you have more chemotherapy treatments, the cancer cells that were resting will start to divide. This is why a number of chemotherapy treatments, called cycles, make up a course of treatment. http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/in_depth/cancer/carecancer_chemo.shtml
10. What are the side effects of treatment? - Side effects of radiotherapy are different depending on the part of the body being treated. Most side effects are temporary but some may continue for weeks or months after treatment is finished. Side effects of radio therapy include hair loss (alopecia), cerebral oedema (excess fluid accumulating in the brain) can cause changes in mental state, restlessness, irritability, impaired pupil reactions, headache, increase in blood pressure, decrease in pulse and respiration, and nausea, dry or sore mouth or throat, changes in taste sensation, skin thickening, inflammation of the gullet, indigestion, nausea, lung inflammation, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, cystitis and sexual dysfunction. Treatment of red bone marrow may cause infection and impaired healing, anaemia, increased tiredness, bruising and bleeding. http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/in_depth/cancer/carecancer_radio.shtml  Chemotherapy can produce different reactions in different people and side effects can change from treatment to treatment. Most side effects are temporary and will gradually disappear when your treatment is complete. Possible side effects of chemotherapy include susceptibility o infections, bruising and bleeding easily, breathlessness, tiredness, dry and sore mouth, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, hair loss, dry and itchy skin, and in some cases, temporary or permanent infertility. http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/in_depth/cancer/carecancer_chemo.shtml
11. What is the survival rate of young people with cancer? - A study compiled in 2008 found that nearly three quarters of british teens and young adults survive. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/aug/20/cancer.teensurvivalrates Around 75% of children diagnosed with cancer survive for 5 years after diagnosis. http://trekstock.com/our-work/about-cancers/reducing-your-risk-of-cancer/
12. Statistically, how many young people get cancer? - Cancer is relatively rare in teenagers and young people with less than one percent of all cancers belonging to this age group. The same goes for children. http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/incidence/age/#Teenagers