Cancer in children is harder to detect than in adults – Dr. Sonia Tiwari

Saurabh Singh Somvanshi.

Cancer is becoming common not only among elders but also among children. Childhood cancer accounts for 3-5 percent of all cancer cases in India. But most people do not see cancer disease as associated with children. They do not even think that a dangerous disease like cancer can ever catch children. India ranks fifth worldwide in cases of childhood cancer. Worldwide 3 lakh children fall prey to cancer every year out of which,  78 thousand children get infected in India. To know the symptoms and causes of childhood cancer we spoke to Dr. Sonia Tiwari, the Oncologist at Kamla Nehru Regional Cancer Institute, Prayagraj.

Question- What are the symptoms of cancer in children, which should not be ignored?

Answer- Any lump in the body that is growing, due to any reason, physical weakness, peeling, trouble walking, frequent rashes, swelling in bone or joint, fever more than 2 weeks, headache, vomiting. Or having a sudden problem in seeing (eye whitening) in children under one year should be cautious of the possibility of eye cancer or bloating in the stomach and should consult a doctor.

Question- What are the symptoms of cancer of children and cancer in adults?

Answer – Symptoms are almost the same, but there may be a slight difference.

Question- What are the types of cancers in children?

There are three main types of cancer in children.

1. Acute leukemia-

Leukemia is the most common cancer in children. It usually catches children between 2 and 4 years of age. Leukemia is a bone marrow cancer. Symptoms include bone and joint pain, fatigue, weakness, bleeding, prolonged fever, loss of weight.

2. Neuroblastoma-

Neuroblastoma is also common cancer in children. The disease begins with an underdeveloped nerve cell in newborns and very young children. In most cases, neuroblastoma is seen in children under 5 years of age. The disease usually starts with the adrenal gland. Symptoms include deteriorating walking, changes in eyes, pain in various parts of the body, etc.

3. Brain Tumor-

Brain tumors or tumors in the nervous system are the second major cancer in children. There are several types of brain tumors and all of them have different types of symptoms and treatment. Talking of brain tumors in children, it starts from the lower part of their brain. Although there is a difference in brain tumors occurring in children and adults, the symptoms are the same. Symptoms of brain tumors include headache (with morning vomiting), dizziness, problems with balance, problems with seeing, hearing or speaking, frequent vomiting.

Question- Are all tumors cancerous?

Answer – No, other diseases can also cause tumors.

Question- What is the cause of cancer in children?

Answer – There is no specific cause of cancer in children because the cancer of children is completely different from that of adults. Elderly cancer is mostly due to lifestyle such as smoking, betel leaf, gutkha, alcohol but not in children. Only the symptoms of cancer can come, that is why it is also said that it is harder to detect cancer in children than in adults.

 Question- Which children are at higher risk of cancer?

Answer- Children whose parents, siblings have eye cancer, weakened immune system, brain tumor need to be cautious with such children.

Question- Can cancer be genetic?

Answer – It is not genetic, but if the parents, siblings have cancer, then attention should be paid.

Question. Do boys have more cancer than girls?

Answer – No, it is not so.

Question- What are the precautions to be taken to protect children from cancer?

Answer – Whatever symptoms of cancer (chronic fever, inflammation etc.) are mentioned, a doctor should be consulted, it is necessary to make it clear here that it is necessary for children to live in the same way as cancer adults.