Why Knowledge About Childhood Cancer Awareness In India Is Crucial! 

In India, cancer is the ninth cause of mortality in children within the age bracket of 5 to 14 years. The ICMR estimates that approximately 50,000 childhood cancer cases occur annually. The most common types are leukaemia, brain tumours, lymphomas, and solid tumours, including neuroblastoma and Wilms’ tumours.

While these are gloomy statistics, they also show the need for awareness about childhood cancers in the country. Lack of awareness and misconceptions regarding most of the childhood cancers lead to underdiagnosis and late diagnosis. This brings into focus the relevance of disseminating information on the signs and symptoms and available treatments.

According to a recent report by the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) in India, cancers among children aged 0–14 years represented 4.0% of all cancer cases. The Population Based Cancer Registry in Delhi recorded the highest age-adjusted incidence rates, with 203.1 cases per million in boys and 125.4 cases per million in girls.

Early Detection Methods

Early diagnosis can improve the survival of children who have cancer. The prospects of successful treatment and low requirement for intensive and invasive treatments are much higher when diagnosed in the early stages. In India, most of the diagnosis cases are reported at the advanced stage due to a lack of awareness and access to healthcare facilities.

Unexplained weight loss, fever, fatigue, and unexplained pain or swelling are the common manifestations of childhood cancers. Parents and caregivers must be excessively vigilant about unusual symptoms in children and seek immediate medical consultation. Greater awareness of childhood cancer would go a long way in educating parents, teachers, and healthcare providers on such signs and symptoms and in motivating timely medical evaluation.

Obstacles to Effective Childhood Cancer Care in India

While raising awareness is essential first, it is equally important to understand the barriers to effective childhood cancer care in India. Most areas of the country have inadequate healthcare facilities. In addition, there is a shortage of personnel, especially pediatric oncologists and cancer treatment centres. There is generally a lack of access to essential medications and technologies across rural areas. The cultural beliefs and stigma related to the menace of cancer further hinder the course of the families seeking help on time, hence worsening the treatment facility for many children.

The cost of the treatment keeps many families away from treating cancer. Parents, without any financial aid, may have to abandon the middle treatment or seek other alternative therapies that may not work. Such barriers call for a multi-way attack on improving healthcare facilities by offering financial aid programs and public education campaigns.

In India, around 76,800 new pediatric cancer cases are diagnosed annually among children and adolescents aged 0–19. Although these cases make up less than 5% of all cancer incidents in the country, the affected patients encounter significant challenges. (Source)

Which is the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Day?