How food habits, environmental pollution are contributing to cancer among children

In India, around 50,000 children are diagnosed with various types of cancers every year. In other countries, 80-90% of children overcome cancer, but in India, it can reach only up to 60%. Delay in diagnosis, exposure to health care, finances, and social emotions are the main reasons for quitting treatment midway. Treatment entails chemotherapy, surgery, and if required radiation.

Increasing instances

Dr. Kishore B Reddy, an orthopedic oncologist at Amor Hospitals says: “We have seen around 10 % increase in instances of childhood cancer in the last decade. Lifestyle changes, food habits, and environmental pollution are some of the factors that have led to the increase. Also, with more screening, awareness, and education, more cases are coming to light. It has been found that preservatives and additives in food are linked to added risks of certain types of cancers, especially leukemia. Being an orthopedic oncologist, I come across cases of osteosarcoma and Ewing’s Sarcoma in children. While osteosarcoma is found in children as well as teens, Ewings Sarcoma is mainly spotted in the first 10 years of life.”

Common Paediatric Cancer

The most common cancers in children are leukemia, lymphoma, malignant epithelial neoplasm, spinal cord tumor, kidney tumor, bone cancer or osteosarcoma, neural cancer (neuroblastoma or neuroectodermal tumor), brain/spinal tumor such as Ewings Sarcoma and retinoblastoma (eye cancer).

Symptoms indicating cancer

The common signs can include persistent fatigue, headaches, nausea, pain or swelling in joints or limbs, abdomen, fever or night sweats, swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, and easy bruising or bleeding. For bone cancers, the main symptoms are persistent pain and swelling that refuse to go off. Another symptom that warrants investigation is a fracture from trivial injuries. If any of these symptoms persist, it is important to seek medical advice from a pediatric oncologist as soon as possible.

Speaking on the occasion of International Childhood Cancer Day, Dr. S Jayanthi, Senior Pediatric Oncologist, at Kamineni Hospitals says, “It is a reminder to parents that even though many childhood illnesses are caused by viruses and other common problems, it is also possible for children to develop cancer. Early detection is the key to treating these childhood cancers, so parents need to remain vigilant about the signs and symptoms. These include frequent infections, serious viral infections, weight loss or poor appetite, unusual lumps or bumps on the body, persistent headaches, vomiting, or unexplained fever that won’t go away. These conditions can easily be mistaken for other illnesses but if they persist, it is necessary to seek medical advice from a pediatric oncologist as soon as possible.”

Leukemia

Blood cancers such as leukemias require trained primary health care providers and bone marrow tests for diagnosis. Red blood cells are also important indicators, that doctors use to diagnose certain types of childhood cancer. Early detection improves treatment outcomes and helps save lives.

Retinoblastoma

Parents also need to be aware of any changes in their children’s eyes, especially a white glow. Every year, thousands of young children across the world are diagnosed with eye cancer, called retinoblastoma. This disease is the most common eye cancer. It can affect both eyes at once. Symptoms include eye changes such as a white glow that can be seen when light is shined into the pupil or shadows appearing within the pupil. Parents and caregivers should also look out for vision problems or redness, swelling, and pain in either one or both eyes.