Cancer in children — recognise symptoms early, save your child’s life

Could your child be suffering from cancer? Read about the symptoms you should look out for.

By: Pavitra Sampath | | Updated: February 24, 2015 2:18 pm

Tags: Symptoms of cancer World Cancer Day 2014

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Cancer is a word that is thought to be synonymous with adults and death. But when it comes to cancers in children, no one ever thinks that their child might be a victim of the disease. A very stressful and devastating condition, the cause for cancer in children often has no known cause.

According to Dr Ramandeep Singh Arora, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, ‘In India approximately 4-6 children out of 10 with cancer will recover, while the remaining would die of their disease. While cure rates from childhood cancer are not as high (compared to the west), they are constantly improving with some centres having cure rates close to that seen in Europe and North America. It is important to point out that there are many childhood cancers and for some of them like Hodgkin disease and Wilms’ tumour, the outlook is quite good. The key is to catch the disease early.’

So, want to know what the symptoms of the condition might be? Here is a quick reference list by Dr Ramandeep.

Cancers in children can be hard to recognize initially as the symptoms can be similar to more common childhood illnesses or injuries. However, if the symptoms below persist, then a doctor should be contacted. These symptoms include:

An unusual lump or swelling present on any part of the body
Unexplained paleness and loss of energy or feeling lethargic
Easy bruising or bleeding
An ongoing pain in one area of the body including bones, joints and back
Limping for an unexplained reason or due to an injury for an unduly long period of time
Unexplained fever or illness that doesn’t go away
Frequent headaches, often with vomiting
Change or deterioration in the child’s gait, balance or speech
Sudden eye or vision changes including white spot in the eye, new squint, new blindness, bulging eyeball
Sudden unexplained weight loss

Parents of children with cancer can improve their child’s chances of successful treatment by seeking medical help early — when the child is unwell and cancer is suspected. Remember there are no stupid questions when it comes to your child’s health. Find out why.

It is also important that the team of doctors treating the child should be aware of these symptoms and refer him/her to a specialist at the earliest for further diagnosis and treatment. Read more about how cancers in children are treatable if detected early.

How you can prevent it?

According to Dr Ramandeep, ‘Childhood cancer, unlike adult cancer, has no cause for its occurrence in about 95% of children and hence prevention is quite difficult. The one thing a parent can do is to keep an eye out for these symptoms and if their child develops them and is diagnosed with cancer get immediate treatment from a qualified doctor. It is even more important that the parents remember that it is extremely unlikely that there was anything the parents or the child could have done to prevent it, and no alternative methods of therapy or godmen can ‘cure’ their child.’ Read more about how you can avoid getting quacked while getting treatment.

Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in children.

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Published : February 5, 2014 11:32 am | Updated:February 24, 2015 2:18 pm

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