Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 2023: Enhancing Awareness and Understanding Pediatric Oncology- Dr Prerana S Nesargi
"CANCER", This word can send chills down the spine the moment it is uttered.
Cancer in a child is almost unexpected and unacceptable and it's presumed to be a myth.
However, it's high time that we address this with facts in check so that all of us in society do our bit to achieve better survival for childhood cancers and participate to support them morally socially medically and financially to debust all the myths and taboos around this term.
Yes, it's TRUE cancers in children are very rare hardly accounting as the most common cause of non-infectious mortality in children, India contributes 26% of the global burden in a density country like ours it translates to significant numbers however it varies geographically in various types the present data taken from cancer registries across the nation which barely represent the top of an iceberg.
Having such significant numbers, people are unaware and thereby get delayed medical attention which influences chances of better treatment, survival and decreased speed/complications which can compromise the outcomes significantly.
Children as young including newborn is at risk as compared to an adult who has a host of environmental and lifestyle risk factors for developing cancer but in children it's a genetic disease having said that less than 5% is inherited which means the disease from parents however certain small proportion is indeed influenced by environmental factors like exposure to carcinogenic chemicals, exposure to ionizing radiation, certain viral infections.
Childhood cancers are in general very aggressive compared to adults managed in a multi-modal manner with chemotherapy radiation and surgery, they are highly chemosensitive and thereby have an advantage over adult cancer in terms of durability and having a second chance at normal childhood cancers are so curable that some forms stand chance of 95%(as per western data, we in India are not far behind).
However, these children do need support medically socially financially, and nutritionally, and TLC to achieve optimal outcomes this is only possible when more people are aware in every domain right from parents to teachers siblings to friends.
Overall childhood cancers can readily be detected and treated in India, with time every effort is made to make the treatment very affordable thanks to indigenous efforts by our medical and scientific community to make detection and treatment affordable and accessible to larger sections of the society, hence take a pledge to work towards your be supportive of this cause and to be aware also spread this awareness.
| Myths | Facts |
| 1. Cancer is contagious | No, it doesn’t spread to others like some infections, definitely can cuddle them |
| 2. Cancers in children are inherited from their parents. | Only 2-5 % of childhood cancers are inherited from the family. Parents stop feeling guilty. |
| 3. Curability is very low in childhood cancer. | No, as compared to adults success/cure rates are awesome almost 90-95% in many forms. |
| 4. Cancer survivors don't require any additional treatment. | Follow-up care is a must for healthy living |
| 5. Tumors are all malignant. | No both benign and requiring minimal care exists. |
| 6. Never tell children directly about they have cancer. | No warriors need to be prepared and cooperate to fight the battle Honesty is the best policy. |
| 7. Children who have cancer will never have normal lives. | No there are many survivors amongst us living life to the fullest. |
| 8. Loss of hair in children due to chemotherapy is permanent | No, as nothing is permanent the same applies to the hair be assured of lustrous hair post-therapy |
| 9. Childhood cancer brings down their immunity forever | NOT A complete NO They regain normal immunity post 4 to 6 months of completion of treatment |
| 10. Childhood cancer survivors have fertility issues and cannot reproduce | No. They can live happily ever after & have a lovely family of theirs will be discussed in detail before therapy starts. |
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Medical Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Medical Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.