Childhood cancer awareness

Childhood cancers have significant better curative rate compared to adult cancer. Over years, India has improved significantly in treatment of solid and blood cancer in Paediatric age group.

Every year, over four Lakh cases of childhood cancer are detected in the world and 50,000 cases are detected in India. 2018, Global Initiative of Childhood Cancer was announced by World Health Organisation. Golden Ribbon is universal symbol for childhood cancer awareness and September is the golden month for awareness of childhood cancer.
How is Childhood cancer different from adult cancer?

Blood cancers, lymphomas, bone tumours, brain tumours are seen in Paediatric age group, while breast, prostate, lung, oral, stomach cancer, multiple myeloma are seen in adult. A child is resilient warrior - fights like a Superhero. Child's innocence regarding his diagnosis, appearance, financial strain, and prognosis- indirectly boosts a positive attitude - positively affects the treatment. Childhood cancers
respond better to chemotherapy and side effect are much less.
Early Signs/ symptoms of childhood cancer :

1. Fever persists beyond 1-2 weeks without infection.
2. Bone pain/ backache.
3. Painless swelling in abdomen, neck and bones
4. Unexplained weight loss
5. Bruising/ epistaxis
6. Pallor
7. Recent onset of squint
8. white reflex in the pupil / protrusion of eyes.
9. Brain tumours can present with recurrent headaches, vomiting or disturbance in balance and gait.